2012 NBA Mock Draft (7/12/11): Tales from the FIBA U-19 World Championships

While we are just a few weeks removed from the completion of the 2011 NBA Draft, it is never too early to start taking a look at the players and prospects around the world that will make up the next draft class.

The order for the 2011 NBA Mock draft was determined using the overall winning percentage of all NBA teams for the 2010-11 season and reflects traded first-round draft choices.

Check out previous, weekly 2012 NBA mock drafts here.

The FIBA U-19 World Championships came and went last week and it was the No.5 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Lithuanian 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas, who stole the show.

Valanciunas seems to relish these European and world championships, racking up yet another gold medal for Lithuania and his third, yes third, Most Valuable Player award for the FIBA-run tournaments.

Some will be quick to point out the talent level and youth of the players involved in these FIBA events, but the fact that this is Valanciunas' third gold medal and third MVP award in as many tries says a lot about the type of player the future Raptor is. A proven winner.

Even with his contract keeping him overseas for the 2011-12 season, one has to wonder whether the Cleveland Cavaliers are kicking themselves for choosing Texas Longhorns forward Tristan Thompson over Valanciunas with the No.4 overall pick.

Looking at the players that trotted out for Team USA at the U-19 showcase, all eyes were on Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb, and for good reason given that no one else on the U.S. squad seemed to be able to put up consistent production.

Lamb was not always productive; however, he did have a 35-point performance in a second round game that helped topple eventual tournament winner, Lithuania, in overtime.

It is a foregone conclusion that Lamb, who flirted with entering the 2011 NBA Draft and will most likely garner heavy consideration when the 2012 variation of the draft rolls around, will be given the green light by Huskies head coach Jim Calhoun, given the departure of the team's main offensive weapon, Kemba Walker. If Lamb can improve his consistency during the 2011-12 season, it stands to reason he will be one of the draft's fast-rising prospects.

Also making solid impressions, despite a lackluster team performance, was Florida Gators forward-center Patric Young, who by most accounts performed well against Valanciunas in their head-to-head matchup and showed marked improvement through most of the games.

The McDonald's All-American has been on the radar for a while now given his physical makeup and downright incredible athleticism, so it will be interesting to see whether having a year under his belt at Florida and time playing abroad will translate into big things in 2011-12.

Now, on to this week's 2012 NBA mock draft.

First Round

LA Clippers – Harrison Barnes (SF, UNC)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Jared Sullinger (PF, Ohio State)
Toronto Raptors – Perry Jones (SF, Baylor)
Washington Wizards – Anthony Davis (PF/C, Kentucky)
Sacramento Kings – Terrence Jones (SF, Kentucky)
New Jersey Nets – Austin Rivers (PG/SG, Duke)
Detroit Pistons – James McAdoo (SF/PF, UNC)
LA Clippers - Adonis Thomas (SF, Memphis)
Charlotte Bobcats – Thomas Robinson (PF, Kansas)
Milwaukee Bucks – Jeremy Lamb (SG/SF, Connecticut)
Utah Jazz - Myck Kabongo (PG, Texas)
Utah Jazz - John Henson (PF, UNC)
Phoenix Suns - Michael Gilchrist (SF, Kentucky)
Houston Rockets – Josh Smith (C, UCLA)
Indiana Pacers – Tyler Zeller (C, UNC)
Philadelphia 76ers – Bradley Beal (SG, Florida)
New Jersey Nets – Quincy Miller (SF, Baylor)
Atlanta Hawks – Patric Young (PF/C, Florida)
Memphis Grizzlies - Marquis Teague (PG, Kentucky)
New Orleans Hornets – Kris Joseph (SF, Syracuse)
Portland Trail Blazers – Mason Plumlee (PF/C, Duke)
Denver Nuggets – C.J. Leslie (SF/PF, NC State)
Orlando Magic – Josiah Turner (PG, Arizona)
Boston Celtics – Cameron Tatum (SG, Tennessee)
Boston Celtics – Jeffery Taylor (SF, Vanderbilt)
Dallas Mavericks – Lucas Nogueira (PF/C, Brazil)
LA Lakers – Khris Middleton (SG/SF, Texas A&M)
Miami Heat – Alex Oriakhi (PF/C, Connecticut)
San Antonio Spurs - Renardo Sidney (PF/C, Mississippi State)
Chicago Bulls – William Buford (SG, Ohio State)

Traded 2012 First Round Draft Picks

(1) Los Angeles Clippers receive Minnesota's '12 first-round pick via Sam Cassell trade.

(11) Utah Jazz receive Golden State's '12 first-round pick (top-7 protected in '12 and '13, top-6 protected in '14, else '14 and '16 second-round picks) via Utah (Marcus Williams trade and later from the Deron Williams trade.

(17) New Jersey Nets receive Houston Rockets' '12 first-round pick (lottery protected) via the Terrence Williams trade. This could mean that the Knicks' pick will be commuted after Houston Rockets received '12 first-round pick (top-5 protected) from New York via Tracy McGrady trade.

(24) Boston Celtics receives '12 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Kendrick Perkins trade.

Other Potentially Owed 2012 First Round Picks

Minnesota Timberwolves receive Utah's '12 first-round pick (top-14 protected in '12, top-12 protected in '13, top-9 protected from right to swap in '14 or'14 second-round pick) via the Al Jefferson trade.

Oklahoma City Thunder receive L.A. Clippers' '12 first-round pick (top-10 protected through '15, unprotected in '16) via Eric Bledsoe trade.

Chicago Bulls receive '12 first-round pick (lottery-protected in '12, top-12 protected in '13, top-10 in '14, top-8 in '15, unprotected in '16) from the Charlotte Bobcats via the Tyrus Thomas trade.

Cleveland Cavaliers can swap first-round picks with Miami via the Lebron James trade.