2012 NBA Draft Board Top 30 Underclassmen
Some of the NCAA Tournament is over. This list will mention 30 underclassmen. To add to the balance I will list 10 freshman NBA prospects, 10 sophomore NBA prospects, and 10 junior NBA prospects. I will either list likely to go pro, uncertain, or likely to return to school based on where I believe the player is projected. With freshman prospects I will list one and done, toss up, or returning to school depending on which direction I believe the player will go.
Top 10 Freshman Prospects
1. Anthony Davis Power Forward/Center Kentucky Anthony Davis looks like the clear cut #1 overall draft pick at this point. John Calipari usually recruits one and done players.
Kentucky has 5 2012 first round picks. Kentucky has Ryan Harrow, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, and Kyle Wiltjer as players for next seasons team. Kentucky needs one more blue chip recruit to be set for next season.
2012 NBA Draft Status One and Done
2. Andre Drummond Center Connecticut Andre Drummond was sort of raw in 2011. Drummond seems like he’s going to go pro after this season.
2012 NBA Draft Status One and Done
3. Austin Rivers Shooting Guard Duke Austin Rivers could go pro. If Rivers opts to return to school Duke would be one of the more dangerous teams in College Basketball.
Austin Rivers is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. ESPN and CBS Sports both believe that Austin Rivers will declare for the 2012 NBA Draft going pro after being one and done. Doc Rivers told someone on Friday that Austin is still considering his options and that a decision has not been made.
It seems like Rivers will declare. Doc Rivers believes Austin’s decision is still up in the air. I am buying what Doc told the Charlotte Observer about Rivers still considering his options. Until Rivers makes an announcement I’m not believing anything because their appears to be a no confirmation at this time.
Rivers will be a highly touted prospect. I originally though Rivers would be better than Kyrie Irving coming out of high school. Irving has put together an impressive freshman campaign for Duke.
Rivers is a 6 foot 4 200 pound shooting guard for the Duke Blue Devils. Rivers averaged 15 points per game at Duke. Rivers also had a big game for the Duke Blue Devils in his first meeting against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
It will be difficult for Austin Rivers to top that plus NBA GM’s may question Austin Rivers desire to win a playoff game in the NBA Playoffs when it counts.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
4. Michael Kidd Gilchrist Small Forward/Power Forward Kentucky Michael Kidd Gilchrist could be a one and done player. Many expect Michael Kidd Gilchrist to go pro. A decision on his NBA draft status has not been announced.
2012 NBA Draft Status One and Done
5. Bradley Beal Shooting Guard Florida Bradley Beal is playing in the elite eight against Louisville. Beal has done a great job carrying the Florida Gators. Odds are Beal will not get the Gators this far next season so I see Beal bolting for the pros.
2012 NBA Draft Status One and Done
6. Quincy Miller Shooting Guard/Small Forward Baylor Quincy Miller is a freshman at Baylor. Miller may go pro after this year. I could also see him returning if Kentucky knocks out Baylor. Right now, I am more inclined to believe he is one and done.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
7. Marquis Teague Point Guard Kentucky Marquis Teague will likely be another one and done point guard for Kentucky joining former point guards like Brandon Knight and John Wall.
2012 NBA Draft Status One and Done
8. Cody Zeller Center Indiana Cody Zeller needs to get stronger. Zeller could be a 2012 first round pick if he decides to declare as a freshman. Zeller returning to Indiana would be huge. Indiana has a shot to cut down the nets in 2013 with Zeller present. The Hoosiers just signed a power forward by recruiting and have a junior small forward who could step up next season.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
9. Moe Harkless Small Forward St. Johns Moe Harkless needs to help St. Johns get to an NCAA Tournament. I see Harkless returning. St. Johns did not even make the big dance last season. With Harkless they have the chance to make the tournament in 2012.
2012 NBA Draft Status Declaring for the 2012 NBA Draft
10. Myck Cabongo Point Guard Texas Cabongo lost to Cincinnati in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Cabongo could really break out as a sophomore.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely Returning to School
Top 10 Sophomore Prospects
1. Harrison Barnes Small Forward North Carolina Harrison Barnes had to watch the Tar Heels lose in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Go Pro
2. Jared Sullinger Power Forward/Center Ohio State Jared Sullinger lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 last season. Sullinger seems to want a Championship. I see Sullinger going pro after this season.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Go Pro
3. Perry Jones Small Forward/Power Forward Baylor I could see Perry Jones returning to Baylor if Quincy Miller returns to school. Baylor would have Perry Jones, Quincy Miller, and commitment Isaiah Austin would make a dangerous trio for the Baylor Bears.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
4. Terrence Jones Small Forward/Power Forward Kentucky Terrence Jones is likely going pro after this season. Kentucky seems to have too many recruits in store for next season.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
5. Jeremy Lamb Shooting Guard Connecticut Jeremy Lamb is likely going pro after this season. Lamb could be a lottery pick.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Go Pro
6. Doron Lamb Shooting Guard Kentucky Doron Lamb will likely go pro with the rest of Kentucky’s starters.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Go Pro
7. Fab Melo Center Syracuse Fab Melo is likely to go pro after getting suspended for the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Go Pro
8. Dion Waiters Shooting Guard Syracuse Dion Waiters could stay or go pro. I’m really unsure which direction Waiters takes at this point.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
9. Kendall Marshall Point Guard/Shooting Guard North Carolina Kendall Marshall may go pro if North Carolina goes all the way.
10. Meyers Leonard Center Illinois Illinois fired Ron Zook. I think Meyers Leonard is leaning towards declaring for the 2012 NBA Draft at this point.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Declare
Top 10 Junior Prospects
1. Thomas Robinson Power Forward Kansas Thomas Robinson is capable of posting doubles on a game to game basic. Robinson will post 10 points and 10 rebounds.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Declare
2. John Henson Power Forward North Carolina John Henson is an effective power forward. Henson helps Harrison Barnes and John Henson on defense.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Declare
3. Damian Lilliard Point Guard Weber State Damian Lilliard led the nation in points scored during the regular season. Lilliard could be a first round pick if he goes pro.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Declare
4. John Jenkins Shooting Guard Vanderbilt John Jenkins helped Vanderbilt defeat Kentucky to win the 2012 SEC Championship.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Declare
5. Alex Oriakhi Power Forward Connecticut Alex Oriakhi had ability to be a 2012 first round pick. Connecticut struggled in 2011. I could see Oriakhi going pro or returning now that he is no longer a first round prospect.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
6. Reggie Johnson Center Miami FL Reggie Johnson is a junior center at Miami FL. Johnson could make a case to be a late first round pick if he returns for his senior year. Johnson could go pro and be a top 40 pick. He also has the option to return and potentially become a top 30 pick.
7. Arnett Moultrie Small Forward/Power Forward Mississippi State Moultrie could be a top 20 pick if he goes pro. Moultrie could help Mississippi State get to a tournament if he returns. I have trouble seeing why he would return when he could be a top 20 pick.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Return
8. Christian Watford Small Forward Indiana Christian Watford hit a game winning shot to help propel the Hoosiers past #1 ranked Kentucky in their regular season meeting. Watford could help Indiana once again if he returns for his senior season.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Return
9. Mason Plumlee Power Forward Duke Mason Plumlee was supposed to return for his senior season. Plumlee will probably jump ship as well if Austin Rivers goes pro.
2012 NBA Draft Status Uncertain
10. Khris Middleton Small Forward/Power Forward Texas A&M Middleton is capable of leading Texas A&M to a tournament appearance. Middleton has to return for his senior season to accomplish this. Middleton went from a potential lottery pick to a 2nd round prospect. It probably is in Middleton’s best interest to return for his senior season.
2012 NBA Draft Status Likely to Return
FEATURED PARTNERS
- 14 Horrifying Photos Of Gambian Pouched Rats
- Skittles' Trayvon Martin Publicity Nightmare
- Horrifying New Wasp Species Discovered
- Magic Johnson LOVES LA Dodgers -- Drops $2 BILLION to Purchase Team
- UFC Star Alistair Overeem -- Ordered to Attend 'Impulse Control' Counseling
- Dennis Rodman -- I Can't Pay My Child Support Bill ... Because I'm BROKE
- How Many Guys She’s Slept With, P*nis Size, and Do One-Night Stands Ever Lead to More
- The Best Answer to ‘Are You Free?’ Ever and Your Funny Links of the Day
- How Incredible Are These Custom NBA Jerseys?