The 2012 NBA Draft figures to consist of a deeper, more talented group of prospects that the 2011 class. (Check out our 2011 NBA Mock Draft.) Team needs and outstanding trades have NOT been taken into consideration with this 2012 NBA mock draft.
UPDATED: 6/23/11
1. Minnesota– Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky, 6-10, HS Sr.
Davis is an emerging talent with great length who has yet to even scratch the surface on how good he can become.
Click here for more on Davis.
2. Cleveland- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, Fr.
Barnes played like a top pick prospect at the end of his freshman season and should only get better as a sophomore.
Click here for more on Barnes’ development during his freshman season.
3. Toronto– Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, HS Sr.
A pure scorer who reminds a little of Stephen Curry, Doc’s son can light it up from deep.
Click here for more on Rivers.
4. Washington- Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor, 6-9 HS Sr.
A gifted athlete especially in the open floor, Miller has a well-rounded game but is most dangerous taking defenders off the dribble.
5. Sacramento- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State Buckeyes, 6-9, Fr.
A beast on the block, Sullinger surprised many by announcing his intentions to return to the Buckeyes for his sophomore season.
Click here for more on Sullinger’s impact as a freshman.
6. New Jersey- Michael Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-6, HS Sr.
A versatile, all-around talent, Gilchrist can play multiple positions on the floor and does a little bit of everything.
Go here for more on Gilchrist and his NBA potential
7. Detroit- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
Terrence Jones could have been a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft but chose to return to Kentucky which should help his stock.
8. L.A. Clippers- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-4, HS Sr.
A talented shooter with good size, Beal can also attack the basket.
Go here for an in-depth profile of Beal
9. Charlotte- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-10, Fr.
Perry Jones surprised many by returning for his sophomore season and needs to show development next year at Baylor to be worthy of a top ten pick.
10. Milwaukee- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Soph.
Expect Robinson to blow up at KU during his junior campaign since he will be their go-to inside presence.
11. Golden State- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, HS Sr.
Teague figures to be the next in line of John Calipari-coached point guards to be one and done.
Click here for an in-depth profile of Teague
12. Utah- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
John Henson is insanely long and has nice athleticism but his rail thin frame will be his biggest obstacle in transitioning to the next level.
13. Phoenix- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, Fr.
Jeremy Lamb really came on during UConn’s run to the national title. He is a great outside shooter and also very long and athletic.
14. Houston- Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas, 6-2, HS Sr.
Lightning quick with the basketball, Myck Kabongo is a pass first point guard with great handles.
15. Indiana- Will Barton, SG, Memphis, 6-6, Fr.
Despite being incredibly thin at 175 pounds, Will Barton is an incredible scorer who can stroke it from deep or slash to the basket.
16. Philadelphia- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-7, Fr.
Tony Mitchell did not get cleared to play at Mizzou so has to wait until the second semester of the 2011-2012 season to become eligible at North Texas. His athleticism makes him attractive for the next level.
17. New York- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Jr.
Due to his athleticism and fundamentals in the post, Tyler Zeller should get first round looks despite not being very physical.
18. Atlanta- C.J. Lesile, F, N.C. State, 6-9, Fr.
A ridiculous athlete who excels above the rim, C.J. Lesile will need to develop the other areas of his game in his second year with the Wolfpack.
19. Memphis- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, So.
A sharpshooter from distance, John Jenkins needs to improve the other areas of his game before being ready for the NBA.
20. New Orleans- William Buford, SG, Ohio State Buckeyes, 6-5, Jr.
William Buford is extremely talented but has been riddled with inconsistencies during his time in Columbus.
21. Portland- Alex Oriakhi, PF, UConn, 6-9, So.
The Husky big man has size and strength but needs to become more consistent with his effort before making the leap to the league.
22. Denver- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Doron Lamb can stroke it from the outside but is also capable of handling the basketball and getting to the rim.
23. Orlando- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Jr.
Jeffery Taylor brings a ton of athleticism to the floor but needs to continue to work on his offensive game to ensure being a first round pick.
24. Oklahoma City- Joshua Smith, C, UCLA, 6-10, Fr.
At around 300 pounds, Joshua Smith is a beast down low with a good touch around the basket but needs to shed some weight and improve his conditioning during his sophomore season.
25. Boston- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
An athletic wing player, Kris Joseph needs to become a better outside shooter and more assertive during his senior season to secure a first round spot.
26. Dallas- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
A versatile scorer who can also handle the ball, Evan Fournier could work his way up draft boards with steady development overseas.
27. L.A. Lakers- Arnett Moultire, F, Mississippi State, 6-11, Jr.
The UTEP transfer has some serious athleticism is unique for someone his size.
28. Miami- Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt, 6-11, Jr.
A developing big man who should only improve in his senior year and possibly work his way into the first round in 2012.
29. San Antonio- Christian Watford, SF, Indiana Hoosiers, 6-8, So.
Christian Watford is a versatile, athletic forward who needs to work on his perimeter shooting before heading to the league.
30. Chicago- Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, So.
The skill is there, if Renardo Sidney can get in better condition and behave himself next season, he should teeter on the first line border.
Second Round
31. Minnesota– Lucas Noguiera, C, Brazil, 7-0, 1992
32. Cleveland- JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama, 6-8, Jr.
33. Toronto– Joffrey Lauvergne, PF, France, 6-10, 1991
34. Washington- Augusto Cesar Lima, PF, Brazil, 6-10, 1991
35. Sacramento- Jordan Taylor, PG, Wisconsin Badgers, 6-1, Jr.
Click here for more on Taylor’s breakout performance in 2011.
36. New Jersey- Reggie Johnson, C, Miami FL, 6-10, Soph.
37. Detroit- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Jr.
38. L.A. Clippers- Tomas Sotaransky, SG, Czech Republic, 6-6, 1991
39. Charlotte- Robert Sacre, C, Gonzaga, 7-0, Jr.
40. Milwaukee- Wesley Witherspoon, SF, Memphis, 6-8, Jr.
41. Golden State- Trevor Mbawke, PF, Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-8, Jr.
Click here for more on Mbakwe’s NBA potential.
42. Indiana- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State Spartans, 6-6, Jr.
Click here for more on Green’s importance to the Spartans.
43. Utah- Tu Holloway, PG, Xavier, 6-0, Jr.
44. Phoenix- Augustus Gilchrist, PF, South Florida, 6-10, Jr.
45. Philadelphia- Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Jr.
46. New York- Eli Holman, PF, Detroit, 6-10, Jr.
47. Houston- Hollis Thompson, SF, Georgetown, 6-7, Soph.
48. Atlanta- Dee Bost, PG, Mississippi State, 6-2, Jr.
49. Memphis- Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico, 6-9, Jr.
50. New Orleans- Terrence Henry, PF, Mississippi, 6-9, Jr.
51. Portland- Darius Miller, G/F, Kentucky, 6-7, Jr.
52. Denver- Leon Radosevic, PF, Croatia, 6-10, 1990
53. Orlando- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-2, Jr.
54. Oklahoma City- Laurence Bowers, F, Missouri, 6-8, Jr.
55. Boston- Ashton Gibbs, PG, Pitt, 6-2, Jr.
56. Dallas- Olu Ashaolu, PF, Louisiana Tech, 6-7, Jr.
57. L.A. Lakers- Cammeron Tatum, SG, 6-6, Tennessee, Jr.
58. Miami- Xavier Gibson, C, Florida State, 6-11, Jr.
59. San Antonio- Kevin Jones, F, West Virginia, 6-8, Jr.
60. Chicago- Brandon Wood, PG, Michigan State Spartans, 6-2, Jr.
Go here for more on Wood’s career
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a fomer contributor at The Washington Times Communities. You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.