NBA Draft 2012 Results: Underrated Prospects That Will Make Massive Impact

The ability to make an instant impression on a franchise is key for incoming rookies. When these kids start logging minutes and contributing during their first season, it often indicates that a team made a great selection and the prospect has a long and fruitful career ahead of them.

Obviously, players like Anthony Davis will be almost expected to play at a high level from the start, but many other draftees have low expectations as they start their careers.

Let’s take a look at some of these underrated players that will prove to be studs this year.

No. 10, New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers

New Orleans clearly expects Davis to be a star in year-one, but their other pick has a shot to be the biggest star in the class.

Rivers reminds me a lot of Kobe Bryant, from his incredible handles and deep range to his NBA pedigree and swaggering confidence.

If he can co-exist (and he should do that just fine) with Eric Gordon for long stretches, Rivers will be just as important to the Hornets as Davis.

No. 13, Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall

This is arguably the most perfect pick in the draft. Marshall is an ideal heir to Steve Nash, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer and likely on his way out of the desert.

Marshall isn’t supremely athletic and doesn’t have a jumper worth writing home about, but he’s the best passer in the class and knows how to run an offense. That is one of the hardest things for a PG to learn and the former Tar Heel is already a master.

He’ll keep an underrated and overachieving Suns roster competitive and eventually grow with them into contenders.

No. 35, Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green

It’s wild that Green fell all the way into the second round. The MSU standout is going to have a long and successful career in the NBA due to his heart, motor, ability to hit threes, rebound and guard multiple positions.

He may not separate himself from the pack by doing any of these overly well, but Green is a major talent that will earn a solid chunk of minutes in the Golden State rotation.