Less than a month ago, the Houston Rockets considered drafting Villanova forward Cam Whitmore with their No. 4 overall pick before having the improbable good fortune of seeing him drop to their second selection at No. 20 in the NBA’s 2023 first-round order.
For the Rockets, it was great luck to be able to pair Whitmore — viewed by many as a top-five talent in the draft class — with fellow rookie Amen Thompson, who is also in that tier. As for Whitmore, while the 19-year-old was happy to land in Houston, he was simultaneously annoyed by the unexpected draft-night slide while vowing to play with a “chip on his shoulder,” as a result.
At least through the first month, it’s mission mostly accomplished.
Whitmore, who was named by the NBA as its summer-league MVP, had 14 points in 28 minutes during Monday’s championship game versus Cleveland. However, it wasn’t enough for Houston (5-1) to win in a matchup (99-78, box score) versus the unbeaten Cavaliers (6-0).
Cleveland was led by young center Isaiah Mobley, who had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots on 12-of-20 shooting (60.0% FG).
On the whole, the loss certainly doesn’t offset two weeks of strong play. Most notably, Whitmore has put up strong numbers despite drawing increasingly more attention from opposing defenses.
Thompson (left ankle sprain) was shut down after Houston’s July 7 opener in Las Vegas, while second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) had their stints end two days later. Smith, for his part, was brilliant enough to earn an All-Summer League Second Team selection despite only playing in those two games.
Yet, even after losing three big names, Whitmore and two-way players Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days made it to where Houston barely missed a beat on its way to a championship-game berth. Summer-league head coach Ben Sullivan, who will be Ime Udoka’s top assistant for the regular season, played a key role, as well.
Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Monday’s summer MVP announcement and the ensuing championship game.
Reaction as Rockets lose NBA’s summer title, Cam Whitmore named MVP
The #NBA2KSummerLeague MVP is… @_camwhitmore_! pic.twitter.com/oGDYmraQiY
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2023
The NBA 2K24 Summer League Most Valuable Player is Cam Whitmore 🏆 who also made the All Summer League First Team. @jabarismithjr selected as member of All Summer League Second team🚀@HoustonRockets
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) July 17, 2023
So close. pic.twitter.com/dSKYJ45yQM
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 18, 2023
On the latest episode of Sportz Talk With Big Sarge podcast…I tell you a story on how Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. play in two Summer League games reminded of Kevin Garnett in a charity basketball game at Toyota Center. #Sarge #Subscribe pic.twitter.com/piPqrkTb1s
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) July 18, 2023
Trev with the🥫
Cam with the splash pic.twitter.com/JpsVUD9qLr
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 18, 2023
Impressive spin move for two by Cam Whitmore pic.twitter.com/3YaJAHVv3c
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 18, 2023
Defintely need to see Matthew Mayer with the Vipers. 6'9 with a quick release. Questionable shot selection sometime but definitely an interesting prospect
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 18, 2023
Take the energy, effort, and coaching we’ve witnessed during SL and apply it to this upcoming season and we have a recipe for growth. 🚀 https://t.co/yMPlzZTRH6
— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) July 18, 2023
What a night for @thatup_coming14!
🔥 18 PTS | 10 REB | 2 STL@CreditKarma | #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/JcpSoxIbIG
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 18, 2023
It was a good run for the SL #Rockets. Cam SL MVP and 1st team, and Jabari on 2nd team. Samuels, Hinton, Mayer and Magee flashed some and might be future Vipers. Sullivan coached the team well. Really good momentum heading into training camp in a couple of months.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) July 18, 2023
Looks like we finally found out about Cam Whitmore's medical issues. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/uXAHbiDdh2
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) July 17, 2023
The Rockets have Isaiah Mobley looking like Tim Duncan out here lol
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 18, 2023
The last 6 Summer League MVP’s:
2017 — Lonzo Ball (19 years old)
2018 — Josh Hart (23)
2019 — Brandon Clarke (22)
2021 — Cam Thomas (19)
2022 — Keegan Murray (22)
2023 — Cam Whitmore (19) pic.twitter.com/ANfw2T0NDo— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 17, 2023
To go from dropping significantly in the draft a month ago to then immediately winning SL MVP has to feel pretty great — both for Cam and for the Rockets. Well deserved! https://t.co/wZHO7skBAD
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) July 17, 2023
let it fly @TrevorHudgins12! pic.twitter.com/Zp8Ruh7kUa
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 18, 2023
