Magic Draft Target Cam Whitmore: 'I’m Ready For It'
As one of the youngest players declared for the NBA Draft, Cam Whitmore will still be 18 years old when his name is called.
Likely a top-10 pick in next month's draft, Whitmore won't turn 19 until July while immediately becoming of the youngest players in the league.
“I’ve always been the youngest coming up," Whitmore said. "Just having a mature type of body and mentality, that’s what you need: a confidence in the NBA. That’s what you need to stay in the NBA. I think that’s what I have. I’m ready for it.”
After undergoing thumb surgery in October, Whitmore was sidelined for the first seven games of Villanova's season. However, in his return to the court, the 6-6 forward showcased why he was a five-star recruit and projected lottery pick coming out of Archbishop Spalding High School.
In 26 career games, Whitmore averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals and .478/.343/.703 shooting splits, while being named Big East Freshman of the Year.
"A lot of people don't know, Villanova is actually a different type of environment," Whitmore said. "The culture and what they bring is actually really serious. The way we bring ourselves is just different, the mentality and mindset we have coming out of the Villanova community is different.
"The Big East is the toughest conference we played this year. So it's definitely a big help and just having those competitors who are just as athletic as you can help in the NBA."
At nearly 6-6, 235 pounds with a 6-8.5 wingspan, Whitmore's athleticism is what stood out the most throughout the Draft Combine.
With a 40.5'' max vertical, the small forward tied for third-best among the prospects who participated, while his lane agility time ranked in the 87th percentile.
"Whitmore stands out as a guy who kinda plugs in the middle as a versatile wing," The Ringer host Kevin O'Connor said on the Magic selecting Whitmore. "A guy who can be a lob threat, you can use him as a ball handler. I think [Whitmore] is the guy here for the Magic."
If Whitmore comes to Orlando, he would join a young core of Paolo Banchero (20), Franz Wagner (21), Jalen Suggs (21) and Cole Anthony (23) among others.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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