2012 NBA Mock Draft: Looking Forward to the Top 10 Prospects Selected Next Year

With the NBA locked out and the likelihood of a shortened season growing every day, the one thing basketball fans can take comfort in is the fact that there will at least be college basketball this winter.

Assuming the owners and players can come to an agreement by next spring seems like a long shot at this point, but the moment money is lost, things will change—believe me.

Bold statement alert: there will be a 2012 NBA Draft, or at least, there will be a 2012 NBA mock draft from yours truly.

Join Bleacher Report as we take a closer look at and rank the 10 best players on every team's big board of pro prospects next June.

10. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky)

Similar to 2010, when John Wall and several of his Kentucky teammates were drafted in the NBA draft's first round, the 2011-2012 Wildcats will possess a plethora of youth and explosive talent.

John Calipari and his group of prized recruits, including freshman small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, will no doubt have the firepower to win it all.

But will they?

The 6'7" New Jersey native will provide defense, rebounding and a mountain of athleticism for the Wildcats, and will very likely be turning pro following Kentucky's NCAA tournament run next March.

9. Austin Rivers (Duke)

The son of current Celtics great Doc Rivers, Austin looks to follow in the footsteps of his talented father.

Rivers is a student of the game (no surprise here) and has superb touch on his jump shot.

His 6'4" frame and ball-handling skills will make him an instant factor at Duke next season.

8. James McAdoo (North Carolina)

First things first—James is not the son of NBA legend Bob McAdoo, but rather, his nephew.

The 18-year-old McAdoo has great size at 6'9" and can rebound with anyone in the country.

McAdoo will provide great energy for the Tar Heels next season, and likely turn in a lot of solid plays around the basket, beating out opposing front court players for loose balls and rebounds.

7. Jared Sullinger (Ohio State)

Jared Sullinger is coming off an impressive freshman-season performance at Ohio State, in which he averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

The 6'9" power forward has one hell of a low post game and a basketball IQ to match.

Reports are that Sullinger has slimmed down even more this offseason and added some explosiveness to his game, which should prove a hot commodity to any interested NBA franchise.

Although he is somewhat undersized for an NBA power forward, Sullinger's motor and knack for rebounding the ball will make him a coveted talent next year.

6. Marquis Teague (Kentucky)

Another NBA prospect with family ties to the league, Kentucky's Marquis Teague is the brother of Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague.

Like his brother Jeff, Marquis has blazing speed and court vision that make him a premier player at the position.

Considering the current relationship between having a solid point guard and team success in the NBA, one would have to see great value in Teague's services at the next level.

5. Bradley Beal (Florida)

Florida's Bradley Beal promises to be one of college basketball's best two-guards next season.

Beal is 6'5" and can absolutely shoot the lights out from anywhere on the floor.

Billy Donovan will look to work the freshman into his offensive scheme in 2012, which could result in Beal becoming the SEC's next Eric Bledsoe—an athletic shooting guard who can also play the point.

4. Perry Jones (Baylor)

Baylor's Perry Jones was another one of the 2011 NBA Draft's potential draftees who bailed on the event for another shot at boosting stock in his sophomore year.

The 6'11" Jones shot nearly 55 percent from the field last season with the Bears, but only managed 7.2 rebounds per game, which raises more questions about his energy and effort level than it does his leaping and rebounding ability (which are phenomenal).

3. Andre Drummond (Connecticut)

Connecticut's new 6'10", 275-pound center prospect will make repeating as national champions that much easier in 2012, but whether they win or lose, Drummond will likely hear his name called in next year's NBA draft.

Drummond, like most of the players on this list, would already be there if not for the league's ridiculous age rule resulting in a one-and-done college campaign from many of basketball's best young talents.

On paper, Drummond looks like every other near-seven-footer power forward—until you find that he's a center, which will make him a coveted piece at the next level.

2. Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)

North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes, like Jones and Sullinger, decided to head back to school last spring instead of following the money to the currently locked out NBA (smart move, Harrison).

Barnes was solid in his first year with the Tar Heels, but that's it—just solid.

Barnes didn't pull a Josh Selby in 2010-2011, but he failed to live up to all of the hype.

Barnes averaged 15.7 points per game during his freshman season in college, but he needs to improve on his shot selection next season (42.3 percent FG% last season).

1. Anthony Davis (Kentucky)

One of what seems an endless amount of talented freshman suiting up for the Kentucky Wildcats this season, 18-year-old Chicago native Anthony Davis is poised to make a play for the NBA in 2012.

Arguably the best power forward in all of college basketball (I know, I know—he hasn't even played a minute yet), Davis brings a freakish 7'4" wingspan to Wildcats' front court, as well as athleticism, skill and explosion that will keep John Calipari's squad in the hunt for the national title next season.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke