Cam Whitmore Could be More NBA-Ready Than Originally Thought

Through both 2023 Summer League and an NBA preseason game, Cam Whitmore is looking the part so far.

Name after name was called before Cam Whitmore’s on 2023 NBA Draft night.

Originally thought to go around fourth overall, some late injury concerns surfaced for the former Villanova Wildcat, leading some teams to pass on him. But most teams were likely simply scared off by the snowball effect with no workout.

Regardless, Whitmore was seen as the draft’s biggest faller. Now, after being voted the steal of the draft in a recent NBA general manager survey, he’s proving his worth much sooner than expected.

Even with good intangibles — 6-foot-6 with premier athleticism, physicality, etc. — Whitmore was thought of to be a slight project pick. He’s an athletic specimen with a knack for scoring and a workable all-around game. But his defense, shooting and decision making was going to need real work before he could shore up his spot in Houston’s rotation.

Or so we thought.

After winning Summer League MVP — averaging 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, helping the Rockets to the championship game in the process — the opinions started to change on Whitmore.

Can he contribute right away? Is the shooting here to stay? Can he stay engaged defensively?

On Tuesday, he continued to prove he might just become a mainstay on the NBA court sooner rather than later.

In just 16 minutes of play versus the Pacers, Whitmore poured on 15 points, added four rebounds and hit three of his four 3-point attempts. In other words, he stole the show for the Rockets, who will look to be one of the league’s most improved teams after a string of bottom three finishes.

Whitmore may still need some time before he’s frequenting the Rockets’ starting lineup. But with more performances like Tuesday’s, he’ll earn time quickly. 

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