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Surprised that there's no thread about him yet (that I could find). He went into the season with a lot of hype after he showed out for Team USA and the All-American game, and upon his return from injury he immediately made an impact on a seriously struggling Villanova team that has now won three games in a row.

9-13 on 2s, 6-17 on 3s, 11-14 on FTs. 64% TS. Strong on the glass and turnover efficient, and he creates a lot of his shots for himself. I'd still like to see more in the playmaking department, his defensive consistency remains to be seen and let's see what his shooting looks like over a larger sample. But so far, the early returns are very positive as a scorer – bullies opponents on his drives to the rim and takes and hits enough 3s to keep defenses honest.

I have him at #3-4 for the time being. Still not in the same tier as Scoot and I could see him drop a few spots still, but he clearly looks like a top 5 pick to me at this point.

He's looking more polished on his dribble moves and drives than other power-wing players like Jaylen Brown or Justise Winslow did at a the same age. As you mentioned, let's see how the shooting holds up, but I think he's likely a top-5 prospect at this stage.

probably the top ncaa guy in this draft for me

The Moose wrote:probably the top ncaa guy in this draft for me

My favorite too so far I think. He'll be a nice consolation prize if the Lakers don't give us a top 2 pick

really struggled in their last game. he was my favorite prospect coming into the season, but i have some concerns. among others, i expected him to be better in terms of attacking and scoring in the paint with his size and athleticism - he struggles to get by defenders off the bounce. he's setting too often for long threes. the other one that pops out is suspect ballhandling.

Looking forward to what Whitmore's numbers look like after 10 or so games. Right now, he's flashing a little bit of this and a little bit of that, just trying to get his bearings after missing so much time.

Is it possible he is a slightly better Isaac Okoro?

Seems low IQ. Only has 2 assist on the season. For being so athletic sure settles for alot of 3s.

i've continued to be disappointed in CW, but having a nice game today

NO-KG-AI wrote:

The Moose wrote:probably the top ncaa guy in this draft for me

My favorite too so far I think. He'll be a nice consolation prize if the Lakers don't give us a top 2 pick

Sure as hell do not need this happening at all

That pass at 2:25 in the video is what I was looking for from him. If he can do this – draw attention, read the rotation and nail the pass – more consistently, he'll stay close to the top of my board. So far, these glimpses have been too infrequent but at least they exist. And since it's still so early for him in the season, he deserves some more time to settle in before we pass judgement.

His only elite skill right now is rebounding. Tremendous rebounder. Rebounds like a big. Creation is a real issue. Handle is ok but he can’t get past defenders. I think his athleticism is somewhat overrated. Needs to load up. Not in the same league as a Kuminga athletically. Or even Miles Bridges vertically. I don’t see that. Of course he may still be playing his way back into shape.


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clyde21 wrote:

Read on Twitter

Nice to see him drive past someone.

for the first time this season, i saw some of the athletic explosiveness i thought we'd see this season. the dunk of the bounce pass from slater in the second half in particular was nice.

I love some of the flashes of his footwork. I know he is being drafted this year, but I think another year working on his drives and handle would do wonder for his game. He is a Miles Bridges type of wrecking ball, but just like Miles I expect him to need time to get his body in shape to even attempt to play like that in the NBA. It’s also weird he is lottery talent but I don’t know if there is a lottery team that could use his skillse, maybe the Suns as a bench forward.

I remember Miles being a way more shifty ball handler out on the perimeter even with the occasional flashes as a PnR handler at MSU than what I've seen of Whitmore so far. Whitmore pretty much a all straight line attacker right now. Disappointing because Miles was my original baseline for him too.

He looked the quickest and most decisive I've seen him all season.

reanimator wrote:

Watch on YouTube

He looked the quickest and most decisive I've seen him all season.

he still has a LONG way to go, even in that game he was so sloppy with the basketball and didn't shoot it very well, but the upside is absolutely tremendous with him. those are things that are fixable. but you can't learn that size and explosiveness. he also shows a glimpse or two of some pretty special vision and passing with each game. nothing consistent mostly because he is so bad with the ball at this stage, but there is some hope for him as a passer.

SeattleJazzFan wrote:

reanimator wrote:

Watch on YouTube

He looked the quickest and most decisive I've seen him all season.

he still has a LONG way to go, even in that game he was so sloppy with the basketball and didn't shoot it very well, but the upside is absolutely tremendous with him. those are things that are fixable. but you can't learn that size and explosiveness. he also shows a glimpse or two of some pretty special vision and passing with each game. nothing consistent mostly because he is so bad with the ball at this stage, but there is some hope for him as a passer.

Yeah, I was mostly focused on the shiftiness and flashes of vision here. He has looked very stiff/mechanical and unable to make basic reads so this is encouraging.