AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Identical twins would figure to have identical basketball games, but scouts describe Brook and Robin Lopez as if they are opposite halves of a complete basketball player.

The 7-foot-0 sophomores out of Stanford didn’t put up similar numbers in college, Brook a far more accomplished scorer and polished player offensively, Robin considered the significantly better defender and rebounder.

For most of the college basketball season, their draft status was projected to be far different, as well. Brook was considered a top-five pick and Robin a fringe first-rounder who would be best served by going back to college and becoming a focal point offensively with his more skilled brother gone.

But since both entered the draft, opinions on them are moving closer to the middle – not yet identical, but not too far off. In fact, some scouts actually prefer Robin to Brook as an NBA prospect now.

Brook still figures to go first – perhaps as high as No. 3 to Minnesota if the Timberwolves don’t have Michael Beasley fall to them and can’t trade out of the pick. But Brook could also fall out of the top 10, while Robin could creep into the middle of the first round.

It’s also possible Robin won’t be the second – or the third, or the fourth – big man drafted. To be sure, this draft is going to produce 10 or more centers who’ll spend a decade or so in the league, but whether any of them becomes more than serviceable remains to be seen.

Ohio State freshman Kosta Koufos was rising up draft boards with several impressive workouts and could go as high as 14th to Golden State. Florida sophomore Marreese Speights – who sat behind Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Chris Richards as a freshman before getting his chance last season – could leapfrog Robin Lopez, as well, with Philadelphia a potential landing spot.

Others who could go as high as the late lottery or tumble into the 20s – some possibly still available into the second round – include Georgetown’s massive Roy Hibbert, Nevada’s JaVale McGee, Texas A&M’s DeAndre Jordan, Rider’s Jason Thompson and France’s Alexis Ajinca. McGee’s mother, Pamela, starred with twin sister Paula at Flint Northern High and later at Southern Cal and also played in the WNBA and served as a Detroit Shock assistant coach.

Jordan was once thought to be a top-five pick and drew comparisons to Dwight Howard. But his athleticism was overstated and his lack of skills and questionable work ethic have his stock plummeting. McGee, similarly, has lots of work to put in on his skills, but has a high ceiling because of his length and above-average athleticism.

A crop of foreign big men that includes Croatia’s Ante Tomic, Turkey’s Omer Asik and Australia’s Nathan Jawai could be late first-round sleepers by teams looking to stash a project overseas for a year or two.

Teams that could be in the market for a center include:

Minnesota – The Timberwolves could use a big man whose skills would complement Al Jefferson – somebody who could guard other centers but play facing the basket on offense.

Memphis – If Brook Lopez slips to No. 5, the Grizzlies would have to consider him to share the job with Darko Milicic.

Charlotte – The Bobcats want to move Emeka Okafor to power forward, although they tried that with mixed results last season after acquiring Nazr Mohammed from the Pistons.

Golden State – Andris Biedrins isn’t going anywhere as a restricted free agent, but his lack of offensive skills means a complementary player would be welcomed.

Philadelphia – A big man to add to Samuel Dalembert and Jason Smith – someone athletic who could defend and hit the offensive glass, like Speights – would be a good fit.

Toronto – The Raptors really need a physical presence up front, something Orlando exploited in an easy first-round playoff matchup.

Cleveland – Time to develop someone who can understudy Zydrunas Ilgauskas for the next few years.

New Jersey – Perimeter-oriented team needs a complete big man – or at least one who does one thing exceptionally well.

Utah – The Jazz leaned on undersized Paul Millsap for most of its interior depth this season and could use another capable hand.