An unexpected slide in the 2023 NBA draft for former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore confused many NBA fans and pundits on Thursday as many wondered why teams passed on the talented forward.
A widely projected top-10 pick entering the night, Whitmore uncomfortably sat in the green room until late in the first round when he was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick. Still, despite Whitmore becoming a first-rounder, questions persisted on social media about why he dipped on draft boards.
According to multiple reports, medical concerns and a few lackluster pre-draft workouts and interviews played key roles in Whitmore’s slide. As a freshman in 2022, the 18-year-old notably missed his first seven games with a thumb injury before returning in December and going on to win Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points.
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While his journey to the NBA may not have been ideal, the night still led to Whitmore achieving a huge goal and hearing his name called, much to the delight of his supporters.
Reactions to Houston’s selection of Whitmore poured in moments after the pick, with quite a few people directing messages to the NBA front offices who had doubts about the promising 6-foot-7 wing’s potential:
Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, two Top-10, some may say Top-5 prospects, and Houston did not have to trade a single pick.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) June 23, 2023
The Houston Rockets have won this draft so far.
BREAKING: Rockets draft Cam Whitmore No. 20 Overall.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 23, 2023
ABSOLUTE STEAL. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/moDDAsejPe
OH MY GOD HOW IS THIS REAL LIFE AMEN THOMPSON AND CAM WHITMORE IN THE SAME DRAFT WTFFFFFFFFF
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) June 23, 2023
Cam Whitmore waiting to hear his name be called at the NBA Draft like... pic.twitter.com/IxZ0Upw53i
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 23, 2023
THE ROCKETS WON. CAM WHITMORE IS A HOUSTON ROCKET!🚀🚀
— Maanav Gupta (@MGSportsTalk) June 23, 2023
Incredible. The draft party at POST Houston erupted into a roar here. Massive approval & this is an absolute steal!! Wow #Rockets WHAT A DRAFT BY STONE. @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/5ZXdS8FOfe
With the 20th pick of the 2023 Draft the Houston Rockets select Villanova's Cam Whitmore
— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) June 23, 2023
Whitmore becomes the 8th Villanova player selected in the 1st Round in the last 20 years, joining:
Kyle Lowry
Josh Hart
Donte DiVincenzo
Mikal Bridges
Overlooked? Nothing new for a Wildcat pic.twitter.com/GtdX2djTxA
Drafting Amen Thompson at #4 & somehow snagging Cam Whitmore at #20 (who they had tracked as high as #4) has to make the Houston Rockets tonights draft winners. Absolute homerun in every sense of the word.
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) June 23, 2023
Hyped for my guys @BradeauxNBA & @BiasedHouston
OFFICIAL: Cam Whitmore is a Houston Rocket
— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) June 23, 2023
Cam’s surprising fall down draft boards was a surprise to many, but he will not let that hold him back from reaching his full potential. Cam is going to make a lot of people look silly, and is the biggest draft steal in quite some time. pic.twitter.com/LpTCqyG3es
Cam Whitmore slipping out of the lottery is stunning.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 23, 2023
Medical concerns causing a significant slide for Whitmore, but a contender could soon benefit.
Oh my, Houston gets Cam Whitmore to go with Amen Thompson. The Rockets just won the draft. Despite the medical concerns, Whitmore was a Top-10 guy in this draft. Elite talent.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 23, 2023
