Cam Whitmore joined the Houston Rockets because the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Villanova product loved a powerful rookie season, averaging 12.3 factors and three.8 rebounds in 47 video games for Ime Udoka’s crew.
Whitmore is at present in Las Vegas as a part of the Rockets’ Summer time League roster. On Friday, he suited up against the Los Angeles Lakers, totaling 20 factors, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals whereas capturing 47.1% from the sphere.
The Rockets are working towards being a legit menace within the Western Convention. Hiring Ime Udoka final summer season was a sign of the entrance workplace’s intent to expedite the franchise’s rebuild. Whitmore’s enjoying time probably suffered because of the change in focus from the entrance workplace and training employees. Nevertheless, each time he took to the ground, he confirmed flashes of being a high-level scorer sooner or later.
“There are numerous similarities to somebody I simply had lately, Jaylen Brown,” Udoka told SportsTalk 790 in April. “It’s humorous, our complete teaching employees, numerous us got here from Boston and had coached Jaylen Brown. It’s very comparable, so far as the way in which they play. However even how they suppose and actions and all that”
Jaylen Brown was topped because the Jap Convention Finals and NBA Finals MVP this season. He’s arguably a top-five scorer within the NBA. If Whitmore can observe an identical developmental path, his future in Houston shall be extremely vibrant.
Whitmore performs the sport with a degree of managed aggression that fits Udoka’s philosophy. Nevertheless, he should proceed to enhance on the defensive finish.
Houston has spent the previous two seasons trying to find upgrades at each place. Whitmore might discover himself being floated in commerce rumors between now and the Feb. 6 commerce deadline. Brown handled comparable points throughout his earlier years with the Boston Celtics.
The Rockets have a possible star in Whitmore. He’ll showcase his potential and high-level scoring skillset all through Summer time League. Udoka should discover a extra constant function for the sophomore ahead. That is the one manner he can proceed to develop and develop into the star he is able to changing into.