In a Monday press conference from Houston’s NBA home of Toyota Center, newly drafted rookie Cam Whitmore (No. 20 in the 2023 first round) offered perspective on joining the Rockets along with some expectations for his rookie season of 2023-24 and beyond.
Whitmore took the stage alongside head coach Ime Udoka, general manager Rafael Stone, and fellow rookie Amen Thompson (No. 4). He was in a great mood all day, even after the unexpected draft-night slide that pushed him to Houston’s second selection.
“I told them, I wanted to be here,” Thompson said in an interview with courtside reporter Vanessa Richardson of Rockets television partner AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
“I wanted to be in Houston,” he said. “I was working out after that, we met, and I told them that this is where I wanted to be. The fit, the people, I fell in love with the people right then and there. They were just very respectful. They just felt cool. I was just so comfortable.”
Here’s a roundup of everything Whitmore told reporters on Monday. With Thompson and Whitmore leading the way, Houston’s 2023 summer league roster begins play on Friday, July 7, in Las Vegas.
Cam Whitmore wanted to be in Houston
Cam Whitmore sat down with our @SportsVanessa today to talk about being drafted #20 overall by the @HoustonRockets in the @NBA draft.
And how a former #Rockets player was his favorite growing upYou can see the entire interview soon on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/9ADq4r8Q7o
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) June 26, 2023
Cam Whitmore on skills he’ll bring to Rockets
Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson talked about what skills they can bring to the #Rockets. pic.twitter.com/GkvNCbb3Wp
— Chad Washington (@ChadDWashington) June 26, 2023
Cam Whitmore and family
#Rockets rookies Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, and their families, including twin brother Ausar Thompson (back) of the Pistons pic.twitter.com/BC0zsrMhna
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 26, 2023
Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore assess each other
Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore assessing each other’s game as they head into the NBA with the #Rockets pic.twitter.com/ILM70gYCX4
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) June 26, 2023
Amen Thompson & Cam Whitmore asked to describe each other's games:
Amen on Cam: "Super athletic. Shooting. Can break anyone down. He's like a freight train to be honest. He was at the top of my board."
Cam on Amen: "Tall guard. Jump out the gym. Athletic finisher. Defend,…
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 26, 2023
Cam Whitmore prioritizing midrange game
Cam Whitmore says he wants to work on his midrange game.
Amen Thompson says for him, it's his shot "in general."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 26, 2023
Rockets coach Ime Udoka pleasantly surprised to have Cam Whitmore
"These are two guys that we targeted with early picks. Wasn't expected at all (with Whitmore sliding like he did), but it was a pleasant surprise…we're extremely happy with the guys we got," – #Rockets HC Ime Udoka on landing @_CamWhitmore_
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 26, 2023
Cam Whitmore views Rudy Gay as NBA mentor
Cam Whitmore says he's looked to Rudy Gay as a longtime NBA mentor and spoke to him after draft night
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 26, 2023
Cam Whitmore on Rockets, new home of Houston
Cam Whitmore said how loyal Houston is far as one thing he notices about Houston
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) June 26, 2023
Amen Thompson says he's "excited to be a Rocket." Cam Whitmore expressed gratitude to the Rockets for "taking a chance on me."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 26, 2023
