Cam Whitmore shows off his skill and recall in workout for Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers brought in Villanova University wing Cam Whitmore for a pre-draft workout on Thursday.
Just before noon, it was clear that it was a productive session. Whitmore, despite working out alone and not against any other prospects, was dripping sweat. He shook hands with multiple Pacers executives and then had a short conversation with head coach Rick Carlisle. It was the first workout with a team for the projected top-10 pick.
He said it was comfortable. He did some drills that involved pick-and-roll decision making and finding transition threes, something that Whitmore noted the Pacers do well.
"I think they were like top-10 in pace and transition," Whitmore said, correctly, of the Pacers. He did his homework. The 18-year old added that he's all about running the floor and can fit into that system should Indiana be where he ultimately lands.
"I think I'd be a great fit," he said.
The Pacers do need size, and Villanova listed Whitmore at six-foot-seven-inches. That would allow the Maryland native to play on the wing, a position that the blue and gold need more depth at, in the Circle City.
He averaged 12.5 points per game for the Wildcats this past season. Whitmore combines power, athleticism, and control in a way that is extremely rare for a prospect. His defense is stocky, yet sometimes inattentive. He's an excellent finisher at the rim.
There's a lot to like about the young forward and his upside. That's why ESPN has him going fifth overall in their latest NBA mock draft and why the Pacers wanted to bring him in for a workout. He's talented and has a ton of room to grow.
One area where he would like to improve is with his outside shot. That's an imperative skill in the modern NBA, and Whitmore's 34.3% from deep in college is just about average.
The draft prospect is conscious of that, though, and is working on improving his jumper. "Just want to knock my shots down. That's really it," he said of what he hopes to show executives. Whitmore, once again showing that he is studied up, recited his shooting percentage off the dribble (below 30%) vs in catch-and-shoot situations (near 40%) soon after. He wants to prove the second number is more reflective of his abilities. "Just let [teams] know that I'm a consistent shooter, not just a streaky shooter," he said.
Whitmore recited a similar line about not being streaky when asked what he was trying to show in the one-on-zero setting. It was a solo workout, the first one the Pacers have had this draft cycle.
One of the observers was former Indiana coach and executive Larry Bird. He is back around the team and has been present at pre-draft workouts. Like with his stats and knowledge of the Pacers, Whitmore showed off his basketball history knowledge when discussing Bird.
"Three-time MVP, National Championship. That's a G.O.A.T., legend right there," he said. "I'm very grateful." He added that it didn't add any pressure for him in the workout, but then made it clear that he will "never fold under pressure."
The young forward is clearly a student of the game. He grew from the beginning of the season to the end at Villanova, and that improvement is something that teams will like. He enjoys the sport. He knows the history, and knows about the teams he is working out for. Those are appealing traits on top of his basketball abilities.
"I love basketball. I've been watching basketball since I was young, since I was five," Whitmore said Thursday. His parents, who he said were multi-sport athletes, give him motivation since they are hard workers.
The one-and-done forward was an impressive rebounder for his position in college, averaging more than five boards a game. His passing needs work, but he barely turns the ball over and is forceful on both ends. It's obvious why he is a highly-rated prospect.
Whitmore's next workout is with the Utah Jazz, who pick ninth overall in the 2023 draft. He will have more after that, of course. Indiana was his first stop.
In three weeks, he will be selected by an NBA franchise, and that squad will hope he can become the next great two-way wing in the NBA. Those are the type of players Whitmore says he studies — he mentioned Miles Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards by name when asked who he watches.
"I would say those type of guys," he said. If he ends up being similar to any of those players on the court, Whitmore is going to be a valuable prospect in the NBA. Perhaps he ends up with the Indiana Pacers.
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