Rockets Season Preview: Cam Whitmore Steal of 2023 Draft?

Following an impressive showcase during the Summer League tournament, Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore has already established himself as the steal of the draft.

HOUSTON — Before playing in his first official NBA game, Cam Whitmore has already established himself as the steal of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Whitmore put on a show during the Las Vegas Summer League tournament, where he averaged 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 steals while leading the Houston Rockets to a 5-1 record. 

He had arguably his best performance of the tournament with 25 points, four rebounds and two blocks to lead the Rockets to a 115-101 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Whitmore's consistency and production led to him receiving Summer League MVP honors. And on the heels of his Las Vegas performance, Whitmore is entering his rookie year with lofty expectations.  

"It’s a great honor to be named MVP of summer league," general manager Rafael Stone said in the team’s newly released video. “He was very deserving. We wanted Cam to play his best, to play hard, and to be aggressive, and he did all of that."

Distributing minutes for Whitmore may be hard for coach Ime Udoka during the first half of the season, given that the 19-year-old forward will be playing behind Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate. 

But whenever Whitmore gets an opportunity to see the court, he will have a chance to display the versatility that made him a sought-after prospect before the draft.  

During his lone season at Villanova, Whitmore possessed the skills that can help enhance Houston's play at small forward.

He is a physical wingman who excels in transition due to his athleticism. Whitmore's arrival would help improve the Rockets' pace in 2024. They finished the 2022-23 season ranked 14th in pace, averaging 99.7. And due to the new mentality Udoka will bring, Whitmore's defensive versatility can help improve the Rockets' defense.

“I am very excited for the season,” Whitmore said. “I am very excited for this new program to get started.”

Whitmore was a projected top-10 pick who did not understand how he slipped outside the lottery. No team disputed his talents. But Whitmore's injury history became the reason behind his diminished stock.

He was unfazed by the number of teams that passed on his services and described the draft as "the best day" of his life on June 22. But Whitmore has vowed to use the draft night snub as motivation.

And three months into his career, the Rockets have already benefited from their gamble on Whitmore.