In June, new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka introduced himself to Houston fans by throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for Major League Baseball’s Astros, the defending World Series champions.
On Friday, with training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season a little over a week away, newly drafted Rockets rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore took advantage of the same perk.
Buy Rockets TicketsThompson, drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round, is fully healthy and ready to go after suffering a grade-two ankle sprain at the NBA’s 2023 summer league. Whitmore, the No. 20 pick, hopes to build on his momentum from winning summer-league MVP.
While neither Thompson nor Whitmore is originally from Houston, they’re getting acclimated to the city in the days leading up to training camp. Thus, an opportunity to take the big stage at Minute Maid Park — where the city’s most prestigious sports franchise of this generation plays — was one they couldn’t responsibly pass up.
Through photos, videos, and interview quotes, here’s a look back at all of Friday’s activities involving the two Rockets rookies.
Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore at MLB’s Minute Maid Park
Your @HoustonRockets rookies ready to throw the first pitch at the @Astros game ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/mICq7uctHq
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) September 22, 2023
Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore met Dusty Baker and Gary Pettis after throwing the first pitch ⚾️@HoustonRockets | @astros pic.twitter.com/Z1Gj4xks2I
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) September 23, 2023
Rockets first-round draft picks Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore threw out the first pitch and visited with Dusty and GP. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/uDhdXXO6GB
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) September 23, 2023
Watching Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson warm up before throwing the first pitches tonight at Minute Maid, I can confirm that both had never thrown before, as they said. They also have improved through a dozen or so pitches.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) September 22, 2023
Whitmore: "Very excited for the season, and we're very excited for this new program and organization, get ready to get it started, so I'm just very happy for it." https://t.co/oC4wNiJtsM
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) September 22, 2023
Amen Thompson on the ankle he sprained during summer league: "Ankle's great, everything's great right now."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) September 22, 2023
Amen Thompson got his first pitch to J.P. France on the fly, while Cam Whitmore bounced his to Grae Kessinger. Angel Hernandez emphatically called both pitches strikes pic.twitter.com/QEY7Ot1rjM
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) September 22, 2023
Amen and Cam reppin the Rockets tonight with the first pitch 🤘 #Rockets pic.twitter.com/4FIgZG69VG
— Dave2000 (@dc2000) September 23, 2023
Thompson on sharing his rookie season with Whitmore: "I’m trying to make Cam my new twin." https://t.co/DCcOT5Ofwq
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) September 23, 2023
For those that keep up with such things, both Thompson and Whitmore threw from the mound, Thompson delivering his pitch on the fly, Whitmore on a short hop. Neither will land in a blooper highlight, so that's a win, as these things go.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) September 22, 2023
Amen described Ausar's first pitch in Detroit as "average. Mine is going to be better than that." https://t.co/M3jty4eII4
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) September 22, 2023
#Rockets rookies @_camwhitmore_ & Amen Thompson are throwing out the 1st pitch(es) before the #Astros game tonight. Here’s Amen on his prep for the toss, (also on his ankle which is fine). pic.twitter.com/eGm54D5iUb
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) September 22, 2023
Amen Thompson (pick #4 overall) y Cam Whitmore (#20), las selecciones de primera ronda de los #Rockets en el pasado Draft de la #NBA, realizan el lanzamiento ceremonial de este primer partido en Minute Maid Park ante Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/e6AfMek1ct
— Javier Gonzalez (@Astros_Coverage) September 22, 2023
Cam Whitmore & Amen Thompson talk about their upcoming first pitches at the Astros game tonight pic.twitter.com/xEUq9XZDPV
— Ari Alexander (@KPRC2Ari) September 22, 2023
