BREAKING: Rockets Take Cam Whitmore With No. 20 Pick, Draft Night Steal?
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets may have had the biggest steal of the 2023 NBA Draft. With the No. 20th pick, the Rockets drafted Cam Whitmore Thursday night inside the Barclays Center. Whitmore was projected to go in the top 10.
"I love basketball," Whitmore said following his pre-draft workout with the Indiana Pacers. "The dream is here. Now it is up to me to put my head down and keep working — this is just the beginning."
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 coach Ime Udoka will bring, Whitmore's defensive versatility can help improve the Rockets' defense.
Whitmore is a three-level scorer but the inconsistency in his shooting is the biggest knock against his draft stock. The 18-year-old prospect is not oblivious to his shooting struggles and has spent the entire off-season improving his 3-point shot and on-court decision-making.
Whitmore averaged 12.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, 34.3 percent shooting from behind the arc. In the 26 games he played for the Villanova Wildcats, Whitmore added 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
He compared his play to several forwards who have thrived on an NBA level. But Whitmore said his most significant player comparison is Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges.
The Rockets had an interest in Whitmore at the NBA Combine and scheduled an interview. At the time, Whitmore had an idea of his potential fit playing alongside Houston's starting backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.
Whitmore was the second prospect the Rockets drafted in the first round. Houston took Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
Want the latest in news and insider information on the Houston Rockets? Click here
Follow Inside the Rockets on Facebook here
Follow Inside the Rockets on Twitter @InsideRocketsFN
Want even more Houston Rockets news? Check out the SI.com team page here
