Villanova wing Cam Whitmore to work out for Indiana Pacers on June 1
Villanova University wing Cam Whitmore will perform a pre-draft workout for the Indiana Pacers on June 1, the team announced on Wednesday.
Whitmore is the first player to have a publicly-announced individual workout for Indiana in this draft cycle. The 18-year old is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and the Pacers own the seventh overall pick. Whitmore has been mocked to the blue and gold in multiple mock drafts.
ESPN's latest mock draft has the Villanova forward being selected fifth overall. He averaged 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his lone collegiate season, leading the Wildcats to a 17-17 record.
Whitmore is the only player working out for the blue and gold on Thursday. Last year, Bennedict Mathurin, AJ Griffin, Keegan Murray (reportedly), and Johnny Davis all had solo workouts for the franchise. Ultimately, Mathurin was who the team picked at number six overall.
As the draft approaches, expect more solo workouts from the teams picking inside the top-10, Pacers included. Whitmore could be the first of many — usually, the workouts in Indiana have six players. He is extremely athletic and combines it with a bruising style, making him a unique prospect.
The Maryland native is a terrific finisher at the rim and shot 34.3% from long range in the NCAA ranks.
At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, AllPacers was a part of a media scrum involving Whitmore. He noted at the time that he had met with the Nuggets, Wizards, Hornets, Blazers, and Nets. He had eight more meetings lined up that he could remember.
"On the floor, I'm just a competitor. Someone who just wants to win," Whitmore said of what he brings to the hardwood. He added that off the floor, he brings joy to his team.
The powerful wing is working on his catch and shoot ability and believes in his defensive strengths. He views his ability to pressure the ball and rotate away from the play as some of the better parts of his defense.
Despite being a younger prospect, Whitmore is mature. He thinks he will fit well in the modern NBA game, too. "NBA is all about spacing. Tempo is faster. Everybody can play," Whitmore said. "I think I can fit in any type of modern game."
The Pacers need players who are near Whitmore's size, though they will have to figure out if he is a great fit for their team with his skillset. Thursday's draft workout will be an opportunity for the team to figure that out up close.
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