[A.M.G.Participant]

I’m wondering which highly touted or highly successful college freshmen people think are likely to enter the 2012 NBA Draft.

Here are my thoughts:

Anthony Davis – Obviously enters barring some unforseen catastrophe (knock on wood). Top 3 lock at this point.

Andre Drummond – Centers with legit size, length, athleticism, mobility and strength are so rare that his offensive shortcomings will not prevent a GM from drafting him in the Top 5.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Not as cut and dry as teammate Davis, but he’s performing and has too much talent not to be considered a lock for the lottery, probably top 10.

Austin Rivers – It seems to be exceptionally rare for a guy ranked #1 overall in his HS class to spend more than one year in college. I believe Rivers needs to become a true PG to have a successful NBA career, but he’ll go lottery simply based off of leading a strong Duke team in scoring as a freshman.

Brad Beal – Less certain than the previous four. I really don’t consider him a lock to enter, but I think he would go lottery.

Quincy Miller – Everyone seems to have him staying in school, but I almost promise you he will enter the draft, and he will probably be a lottery pick.

Tony Wroten – He’s a freshman leading a talented Washington team in scoring I believe, and he’s got great size and athleticism to be a combo guard in the NBA. He’d be better off waiting a year, but as is a common theme every year, some kids don’t have much interest in college.

Myck Kabongo – Even though he’s Canadian, and thus I want him to succeed, I’m really not sure he’s ready physically for the NBA at this point. Definitely a true PG, and plenty of ability, he’s just skinny and inexperienced. He’ll go first round.

Marquis Teague – Has been outshone by his Kentucky teammates, obviously not a true PG and looks like he might never be one. But the talent is undeniable, plus his brother is in the league and having success so people know the name. It would be almost weird for a Calipari PG to not be a one-and-done, so I’mma just pencil him in for a mid-first round pick.

Cody Zeller – Has really helped Indiana get back on the map this season. I don’t think it would be advisable for him to enter this year, but if his team stays hot and he feels like he’s a lock for the first round why wouldn’t he? I mean he is a 6’11 dude with skills, let’s not completely ignore the possibility.

James McAdoo – I know, I know, he hasn’t done much this season after being considered a top 5 pick preseason. Has been stuck behind a monster frontcourt trio at UNC. At this point he shouldn’t enter, but don’t rule out the possibility of McAdoo stepping up a bit as the season continues and Henson/Zeller need more rest. And he was highly ranked enough to enter when he shouldn’t, don’t forget that.

Adonis Thomas – Highly-touted but not really on the national media radar at Memphis right now. Having a good frosh season, if Will Barton decides to enter it may influence Adonis to say screw college. He’s a super-athletic wing prospect, similar to Iguodala, if he puts his name in people will have to take it seriously.

Rod Hood – Should wait to be the man next year, but Mississippi State is hot this year and with Moultrie, Bost and probably Sidney entering this year, the temptation to make a Jerime Richmond-type decision may be too strong. Probably not though.

Rakeem Christmas – I speculate that he might enter purely based on the fact that he is a contributor on the #1 overall team. And because he’s an athletic big man with size and length. he probably won’t though, especially if Syracuse chokes in the tournament as usual.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – I doubt he’ll enter, so I don’t know why I’m putting him down. But he’s got talent, so teams should pay attention if he is stupid enough to enter. I always hope that kids make the right choice, but you never know with McDonald AAs these days.

Dorian Finney-Smith – Athletic enough that if college isn’t his thing, he might get picked. But also possibly not, so he’d be well served to stay in school.

LeBryan Nash – He shouldn’t enter, but he’s apparently a bit of a headcase (according to this site), and he was a very highly-touted recruit. That shit goes to the heads of kids with their heads on straight, let alone ones who are a little out there. And Nash is talented enough that he would still probably go early-2nd. Having a name that sounds like LeBron might get the Cavs to take you purely for s***s and gigs.

Royce White – Like LeBryan, this guy has a rep for being kind of crazy. And he’s leading his Iowa State team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and blocked shots, so that won’t hurt his chances of being drafted if he does flake out of college.

Josiah Turner – Wasn’t this guy supposed to be the best freshman PG talent? At least he was mature enough not to immediately transfer when things weren’t going his way. Hopefully he’ll live up to his potential eventually, but his preseason lottery pick status is dust in the wind.

[meisi4Participant]

drummond said he would stay another year. i can´t post the link because it triggers the spam filter unfortunatly… not really sure what to make of it especially at this early point. i still think he will enter though…

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I Anthony Davis hasnt given any indication but I see him entering.

[raybeasParticipant]

I think he will stay untill he gets a degree. He was valedictorian of his class, as was one of his brothers. He may come out next year if he’s a top 5-10 lock. More likely 2014 if he’s close to a degree.

[A.M.G.Participant]

Drummond said he would stay in school? So did Tristan Thompson last year. I have a hard time believing that Drummond would pass up being a Top 5 pick, which I believe he is. It would probably be better for his development to spend one more year in college, but I don’t see it happening.

And frankly Anthony Davis would be a fool not to enter.

[natedogggParticipant]

I think Kabongo and Teague really should consider staying for their sophmore year.

Neither has had an outstanding season to date, and neither appears to be physically ready for the NBA.

one more year would do wonders for them.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 Teague physically can play anywhere in the world, mentally and skill wise is where people aren’t sure about him.

But I watched the South Carolina game, and Teague looked really good, if he can just stay solid, not even dominate, just play solid from here on out, he will be a mid lottery pick, for the simple fact his physical tools are just too much to pass up and with it being a weak draft for PG’s for the most part, he will stand out and if he test well at the combine which more than likely he will, he’s gone.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Austin Rivers is never gonna be a true Pg he is a scorer and always will be

and Cody Zeller is such a underrated player just wait till March and he will be in everyones top 10 and possibly top 5 

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 I agree, Austin’s mentality is to score,score,score, he doesn’t have that mindset to be a true pg

[Johnny Chill]

That’s because he is a SG.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 We know he’s a SG, but the OP said Rivers needs to become a true pg to have a successful career and that’s not going to happen, because he is a 2 guard.

[Johnny Chill]

Well I dissagree with the OP, because I think Rivers can have a successful career being a SG that can create for others. Just like Wade and Kobe, they are SGs that can handle the ball and create, but their ability to score is what makes them great.

[Author]

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