NBA Draft 2012: Top 10 Big East Prospects to Watch This Season

As the college basketball season gains momentum, we're beginning to see some of the top competitors shine as NBA Draft hopefuls show us what they've got.

The Connecticut Huskies are loaded with NBA talent, but other Big East squads boast some elite athletes as well. The conference's crop of prospects might not all be superstars at the next level, but many of them will be impact players.

Which Big East ballers have the best pro potential? Here are the conference's top 10 NBA prospects.

10. Alex Oriakhi

Connecticut's Junior big man Alex Oriakhi led the Huskies in rebounding and blocked shots last season, and his size and skills will earn him a selection in Round 2 of the draft.

Oriakhi may not have the gifts or potential of the much-"bally-hooed" Andre Drummond, but his defense and rebounding are ready for the next level. He's extremely active on defense, and his 7'3" wingspan helps him cover a lot of ground and challenge shots.

When it comes to rebounding, Oriakhi uses great positioning and tenacity to keep UConn possessions alive.

Offensively, his footwork and repertoire are limited, and that's what prevents him from being a front-line prospect. We'll see how he develops this year alongside his talented teammates.

9. Ashton Gibbs

Ashton Gibbs is one of the best perimeter shooters in the country, and his shot is NBA-ready.

Unfortunately, the rest of his game isn't. This will make it tough for him to get drafted, but if he does make it to the NBA, he could be a decent role player.

He's stuck in a tough situation: he doesn't have the size to be a true shooting guard or the skills to be a true point guard. Gibbs is a competent point guard at the college level, but it will be difficult for him to create off the dribble at the next level unless he improves significantly.

On the positive side, he could be a solid reserve for an NBA club that needs a hard-working sharpshooter to come off the bench.

8. Peyton Siva

Louisville's dynamic 5'11" point guard Peyton Siva is on the bubble to get drafted. His draft fate lies in his ability to show NBA brass he can score and distribute more efficiently.

Siva's ball handling and athleticism aren't issues. He's an explosive playmaker who has the quickness and skills to get where he wants to on the court. Siva uses his talent to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. However, his decision making and outside shooting raise some doubts about his pro career.

He turns the ball over far too much, and he needs to become a more consistent shooting threat (27 percent three-point shooting last season). Otherwise, he'll be a poor man's Rajon Rondo.

I like his competitiveness and penetration skills; if he can progress as a point guard and upgrade his shooting, he'll get serious consideration in June.

7. Yancy Gates

Cincinnati Bearcats' bruiser Yancy Gates puts the "Big" in "Big East" with his sturdy 6'9", 245-pound frame.

His size and style of play remind me a little bit of DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs. Gates displays impressive agility to go along with his immense power. He can go up with his right or left, and can post up as well as face the basket. He does a load of damage off rebounds and tip-ins.

Gates also has a decent jump shot, which is something that helps his NBA recruitment as far as versatility goes. He'll need to refine his post moves and step up on the defensive end in order to improve his draft stock. Right now, he's a mid-second-round pick.

6. Hollis Thompson

Hollis Thompson has the size to be an effective small forward at the next level, but the 6'8" Georgetown Hoya needs to become more versatile if he wants to be a premiere draft prospect.

Thompson is a prolific long-distance shooter, and he has hit 59 percent of his three-pointers so far. His ball handling is still underwhelming, but his offensive innovation progressed significantly last season. If this progression continues, he will turn more heads and move up the draft board.

Thompson doesn't stand out defensively, as his mediocre athleticism limits his effectiveness.

Georgetown utilizes Hollis Thompson as a power forward and small forward, but he will play on the wing as a small forward in the NBA. He'll be chosen in the early or middle stages of Round 2.

5. Maalik Wayns

Villanova speedster Maalik Wayns is a fun guard to watch, and he's been a handful for Big East opponents the last couple of seasons. The Wildcats have a rather weak roster, so they'll be relying on increased production from him this season.

He's attractive to NBA scouts because of his quickness with the ball. He is a lethal weapon in transition because his combination of ball-handling and speed make him hard to stop. Wayns is also an adept shooter off the catch or dribble.

As an on-ball defender, he will fare pretty well at the next level, except for a couple mismatches against Chauncey Billups-type guards.

Wayns needs to show development as a floor general, but other than that, he is primed to be a solid energy guard in the NBA.

4. Darius Johnson-Odom

Darius Johnson-Odom has been a consistent leader for the Marquette Golden Eagles, and his senior year is his final audition for the NBA.

Johnson-Odom has the handle and the shooting skills to be a combo guard as a pro. He's not a phenomenal floor general, but he has good instincts and has improved his assist-to-turnover ratio this season.

His two greatest attributes are his scoring prowess and his stifling defense. The lefty can score from almost anywhere on the court, and he's averaging nearly 20 points per game. He's just as difficult to handle on the other end of the floor: his discipline, hustle and quickness on defense routinely shuts down opponents.

Odom will serve well as a combo guard or a backup point guard in the NBA and will have success guarding point guards and shooting guards.

3. Kris Joseph

In his four years at Syracuse, Kris Joseph has gone from being a one-dimensional player to one of the best players in the country. The 6'7" native of Quebec has the skills to be an effective small forward in the NBA.

His game has expanded considerably since his freshman year. Outside shooting is no longer an issue, as Joseph is one of the most consistent perimeter shot-makers in the Big East. His basketball IQ has evolved, as he's learned when to attack and when to refrain.

Joseph's always been an electrifying slasher, and he can go left or right when he drives. His athleticism is best employed in transition and off ball reversals.

Quickness and ball-handling aren't his strongest suits, but he has great body control and a good first step. Joseph will be taken in the first round, and maybe even in the lottery if he excels for the Orange this season.

2. Jeremy Lamb

Jeremy Lamb rose to stardom last March, as he capped off his freshman year with masterful performances in the Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament. This year, he's more than just a sidekick—he's the centerpiece of Connecticut's offense.

Lamb has a fluid game that includes long-range bombs, mid range pull-up jumpers and floaters in the lane. He has used his deftness to score more than 20 points per game this season.

His glaring weakness as an NBA prospect? He's literally weak. At just 185 pounds, his long wingspan and silky-smooth moves are rendered useless against strong athletes. He'll need to put on more muscle to convince pro executives that he's a top-five pick.

Don't worry, Lamb fans, his feel for the game and array of skills still make him a lottery lock.

1. Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is the best Big East player in the 2012 Draft crop, and chances are he'll be selected first overall. Why? He's extremely gifted and has a high ceiling.

Drummond has the physical and athletic tools to be a force in the NBA. He has the height and the bulk to be an imposing power forward and center, and his vertical is sensational. The Connecticut Huskies freshman seems committed to being a factor on both ends of the floor.

His post moves need polishing as he doesn't have much of a back-to-the-basket game, and his jumper could use improvement. Fortunately, he's young and seems like the kind of athlete who can improve and maximize his potential.

In Connecticut's Battle 4 Atlantis win over Florida State, Drummond showed his versatility by notching 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks and three steals. NBA General Managers can't wait to draft that kind of talent this summer.