Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

After Anthony Davis, which player in the 2012 NBA draft has the most pro potential?

NCAA Men's Championship Game - Kansas v Kentucky

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Thomas Robinson #0 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks the ball in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the National Championship Game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 2, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that former Kentucky Wildcat Anthony Davis will go first overall in the 2012 NBA draft. But, after him, who has the most pro potential?

Thomas Robinson?

The junior, Robinson, is of a different mold than many near the top of the draft, as he stayed behind older players at Kansas before he got his chance this past season. And he capitalized.

He averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds for a Kansas team that, against many early season projections, made its way to the national championship game, before losing to Kentucky.

Robinson has an NBA-ready body at 6-10, 237, but did not shoot a high percentage in NCAA tournament games when he was challenged on the block.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

Kidd-Gilchrist has already been tabbed by many as the most pro-ready player other than Anthony Davis on the 2011-12 Kentucky roster.

He, too, has a pro-ready body for the small forward position and attacks the basket as well or can get out in transition. His athleticism allows him to bring it on both ends of the floor and teams at the high end of the draft could be looking for a player with his base of skills, including Sacramento, New Orleans, or Portland.

Andre Drummond?

Potential continues to be the word surrounding Drummond, who averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds in his freshman season with Connecticut.

Some have gone as far as to say that Drummond “would lose an NBA GM his job,” presumably for being drafted so high and perhaps not producing.

He has the athleticism and he showed the ability to block shots, but questions about his work ethic and maturity have not faded. He still needs to work on his back-to-the-basket game, but is impressive above the rim.

Others: Brad Beal, Florida | Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_