https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...basketball-coaches-react-2023-nba-draft-picks Cam Whitmore drops to No. 20 The biggest news of the first round was Whitmore's drop from projected top-10 pick -- and top-five pick earlier in the draft process -- all the way to Houston at No. 20. A five-star prospect coming out of high school, Whitmore was hampered by injury to start his Villanova career and then battled inconsistency in what was ultimately a disappointing campaign for the Wildcats. "I think he's really talented. In an NBA game that has more space, kind of less individual scouting, less zone defense, I think he would be more effective than he would be in a college game," one coach who played against Whitmore last season said. "Villanova had lineups that weren't great shooting lineups. If you're scouting with him in mind, you can make the game difficult for him. He's not a willing passer right now, you can crowd the floor, take away driving opportunities, disrupt timing as a shooter. In an NBA game, he's not a featured guy. Around other talented guys, you'll see how dynamic he can be. Big-time athlete, better shooter than people realize. But his reputation is as a low-energy guy; he didn't necessarily vibe great with teammates and coaches, and his feedback from workouts was that he was not fully engaged. And then you combine that with medical concerns." ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo both reported Thursday night that there were issues with his medicals that turned some teams off from taking him in the lottery. And then once he fell out, teams that didn't work him out in the pre-draft process let him drop a little more. Yet, if the medical concerns end up not being a huge factor, Whitmore is a steal at No. 20, according to college coaches. "As the college basketball season was going on, he never struck me as a top-five or top-seven pick. His impact on the game was more middle of the first round," one said. "But this year's draft outside of the top three guys, it was really wide open. He has as much physical talent as the guys that went No. 6-19, even though his impact wasn't necessarily felt that way. But Cam Whitmore is an excellent pick. That jumps off the page. He's a guy who was expected to be a top-five pick. Goes 20th, you still have to feel great about that." "Whitmore has a ton of natural ability," another coach said. "Length, athleticism -- but I do question his feel and decision-making, especially in a team setting. He has the ability to guard everyone but isn't always engaged. He is a special athlete with a lot of raw ability, but he needs to translate his talent to winning and learning how to play."
Favorite player growing up: Rockets legend™ Russell Westbrook; Rockets draft night legend™ Rudy Gay; Rockets legend™ Carmelo Anthony
All the available evidence shows that Whitmore would have been a disastrous pick at #4 overall, despite what some on here wanted. #20 overall though? My god that is great. Eliminates all risk of him ending up as a bust. Only upside.
According to the article, he's injured his tibia bone below the knee twice in high school and has had screws inserted into the bone. Given that he's built like a tank and plays above the rim so much, I guess there are reasons for the injury concerns. But the Rockets doctors say it isn't an issue going forward. Hope they go it right. Also, if the reports/rumors are true, the head coach at Villanova may not have fully endorsed him, but the assistant coach doesn't hold back his praises here. Anyway, good article.
I think Cam was a great pick and a very lucky pick. We pick up another high upside talent who has an NBA physical profile. One idea that links the drafting of Cam Whitmore with 2023 free agency plans is the trade off between finding Cam minutes as he earns them and playing time for Tate, KMJ, KPJ, and the 1-2 "Veterans" that the front office had been leaking they would like to bring in by trade or free agency. Before the draft, all the talk was using the 20th pick in a consolidation trade (using the 20th + a player like KMJ to move up in the draft) or using the 20th to trade for a future first round pick. Essentially, with the Cam pick we have an extra player versus the pre-draft plans - and one in a position that was not a "need." To get Cam minutes, either we will move out an extra player in addition to the 2 you would have expected (Josh Christopher, KMJ, Tate, KPJ are candidates) or bring in only 1 wing/Small Forward by trade or free agency. Two main takes: While it may take more than this offseason to happen, I think Josh Christopher's time in Houston is ticking down now that Cam Whitmore is a Rocket. I expect the Rockets to a.) trade Christopher this offseason or b.) decline Josh Christopher's 4th year option making him a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season. Supposedly Christopher has been in the gym improving, but I think the #'s crunch will work against him this year. (This is more speculative) It also makes it much more likely that the addition of Cam Whitmore will make it easier for the Rocket's front office to move on from one of Jalen Green or KPJ. Much has been said about Ime Udoka making rookies and others earn their minutes and the expectation that a veteran point guard is 1a on the Rocket's free agent wish list. Green & KPJ will be fighting for minutes this upcoming season and if they play on the court together, they will be taking minutes away from Tari, KMJ, Tate and any wings/small forwards brought on board by trade or free agency. If Cam Whitmore lights it up in practice, the extra player forced out might be Jalen Green or KPJ.
Why would you fire a coach for saying what he thinks about one of his players? If college coaches just lie about their players then nba organizations would have no reason to call and ask about players.
What top recruit is going to want to play for a coach that may end up hating on him to NBA coaches and GMs?
Not questioning his ceiling or talent... But looking at some Whitmore highlights had me thinking about Danuel House
So Stone said in an interview with Vanessa that yes, they were trying to trade up, that they had a couple of targets in mind, NONE OF WHOM WERE CAM. Seriously, what is wrong with that guy? Why would he say that? First, "the front office" made all these negative and disrespectful comments about Sengun to @Clutch, now he basically says they would have preferred to pick someone else if they could have. That's embarrassing. Amateur hour. Way to make your rookie feel bad. STFU Stone.
Again...If we drafted Danuel House with the 20th pick, that's really not that bad. That's probably worst case scenario for him. Whitmore is all upside from here. Just would have been a horrible pick in the Top 5
