Rockets add Cam Whitmore at No. 20 in major draft-night coup
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Will Cam Whitmore’s loss be the Houston Rockets’ gain?
The 6-foot-7 wing out of Villanova entered Thursday night rumored to be a likely top-10 pick in the 2023 draft, and as early as late last week, there were rumors Whitmore was in contention to be selected by the Rockets with the No. 4 pick. Such lottery dreams didn’t come to fruition, but Whitmore is now slated to still play in Houston in 2023-24. He was selected by the Rockets with the No. 20 pick on Thursday night, marking what could be a major draft-night coup for Rafael Stone and Co.
Whitmore comes to the NBA fresh off winning Big East Freshman of the Year honors with Villanova, where he flashed his skill as a strong scorer at all three levels of the floor. He’s a strong 230 pounds, and gets to his spot in the lane and near the foul line with ease. His quick first step and smooth handle allows him to consistently beat defenses off the dribble when driving to his left. Whitmore adds a deep array of pump-fakes, jab steps and step-backs that allow him to create separation, and given his frame, it’s possible Whitmore is ready to contribute at the NBA level from his first weeks as a professional.
So why exactly did Whitmore fall so far to Houston on draft night. His health may be a culprit. Teams league-wide had “trepidation surrounding his medicals that’s contributed to this slide,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, though the issue in question has not been cited. And while the Rockets could still hold a similar concern, Whitmore’s offensive skill was likely too enticing to pass up.
Handing out draft grades in June is always a foolish exercise, given before players even step foot in a gym for summer league. But given the chatter of recent weeks, it’s hard not to be impressed by Houston’s haul on Thursday night. The Rockets landed a player they view as their lead guard of the future in Thompson, and now add a player who could be an impact scorer at the professional level.