Cam Whitmore

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I won't deny his self creation has looked rough and choreographed mostly up until this point, but he shows flashes from time to time to set in stone that he is solely an offball guy at the next level.

[The-Power]

Whitmore looks a bit better these days. That's now three efficient games in a row, scoring 17, 19 and 14 PTS respectively. I think his defense has improved a bit, too. He has always shown on-ball flashes and he's still prone to lapses off the ball, but his effort chasing around Jordan Hawkins versus UConn showed that he can and will dig in on that end if needed.

We're also starting to see more bully-ball flashes, and there's really not many people that can stand their ground completely when he has a lane to drive. Probably the second strongest. or most forceful, Forward in this class behind Sissoko. His on-ball creation is still very limited and there's still very few signs that he can create for others, but he's increasingly finding a way to impact the game on a team that's not very good at creating shots for him or anyone really. That's good. Holding him accountable seems to work so far.

I still think his best bet to become an impactful NBA player is to have him take the current Kuminga route. Earn playing time primarily with on-ball defense, then add rebounding and becoming more consistent off the ball to it. And on offense, thrive on cuts, drive open lanes and take open shots. Decision-making with the ball and self-creation come later. He's not as athletic as Kuminga (not as explosive, not as fast, not as quick off his feet, heavier feet), not as long (most definitely) and doesn't draw fouls as easily (Kuminga is much more crafty in that regard, which in combination with his athleticism and aggression make him a foul magnet) but he's stronger and his shot mechanics are better. Still, that's the kind of role I could see him excelling in and become a long-term starter in the NBA.

[EvanZ]

Don’t think his feel is as good as JK tbh. But he’s come around to the point where he’s probably worth a Lottery pick. Before I thought he was being overrated. Now he’s probably just rated.


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[clyde21]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

[Catchall]

Cam has Danny Ainge pick written all over him. If the Jazz get to #7 or #8 in the draft order, I think he's the most likely pick.

[The-Power]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

I think Brown's development with respect to his handles is something you just can't count on. Meanwhile, playing good on ball defense while using your athletic gifts off the ball on offense is a fairly straightforward path to minutes. I'm not saying he's quite the kind of prospect Kuminga was or is, but I do think Kuminga's current role with GSW should be the role for Whitmore to start his career, too. Whether he can be as effective is a different question.

Re: Lotto. I actually think he's still a top 10 pick. Lower end but I just can't come up with 10+ prospects I'd pick ahead of him at this point. There's still considerable upside with him and his path to playing time looks easier to me than the paths for some of the other upside picks people may have that in that range.

[clyde21]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

I think Brown's development with respect to his handles is something you just can't count on. Meanwhile, playing good on ball defense while using your athletic gifts off the ball on offense is a fairly straightforward path to minutes. I'm not saying he's quite the kind of prospect Kuminga was or is, but I do think Kuminga's current role with GSW should be the role for Whitmore to start his career, too. Whether he can be as effective is a different question.

Re: Lotto. I actually think he's still a top 10 pick. Lower end but I just can't come up with 10+ prospects I'd pick ahead of him at this point. There's still considerable upside with him and his path to playing time looks easier to me than the paths for some of the other upside picks people may have that in that range.

that's why i comp'd him to Brown tho, that's always been an issue with Brown and even tho he's gotten better it's still a weak point for him...not saying Whitmore will get there but his handle baseline is actually higher than Brown's coming out.

[The-Power]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

I think Brown's development with respect to his handles is something you just can't count on. Meanwhile, playing good on ball defense while using your athletic gifts off the ball on offense is a fairly straightforward path to minutes. I'm not saying he's quite the kind of prospect Kuminga was or is, but I do think Kuminga's current role with GSW should be the role for Whitmore to start his career, too. Whether he can be as effective is a different question.

Re: Lotto. I actually think he's still a top 10 pick. Lower end but I just can't come up with 10+ prospects I'd pick ahead of him at this point. There's still considerable upside with him and his path to playing time looks easier to me than the paths for some of the other upside picks people may have that in that range.

that's why i comp'd him to Brown tho, that's always been an issue with Brown and even tho he's gotten better it's still a weak point for him...not saying Whitmore will get there but his handle baseline is actually higher than Brown's coming out.

Maybe, but 30+% USG with around 45% of his 2s and only around 70% of his 3s being assisted is not what I would want from Whitmore barring some unforeseen improvement. Meanwhile Kuminga stands at around 20% USG with 60% of his 2s and almost 100% of his 3s being assisted. That looks more like what I would want to see from Whitmore. If he develops his handles and shot, he can still see his role changed to more of an on-ball threat.

[JMAC3]

Feel like measurements are going to really important for him. I could see him being a top 5 pick if he is really 6-7 with a big wingspan.
He is in that mix now for me with Thompson twins, Miller, Scoot, Smith.

but if it comes in 6-5ish with a meh wingspan he probably falls closer to 10. Where he will be in the Walker, Keyonte, Black, Gradey tier.

[clyde21]

I think Brown's development with respect to his handles is something you just can't count on. Meanwhile, playing good on ball defense while using your athletic gifts off the ball on offense is a fairly straightforward path to minutes. I'm not saying he's quite the kind of prospect Kuminga was or is, but I do think Kuminga's current role with GSW should be the role for Whitmore to start his career, too. Whether he can be as effective is a different question.

Re: Lotto. I actually think he's still a top 10 pick. Lower end but I just can't come up with 10+ prospects I'd pick ahead of him at this point. There's still considerable upside with him and his path to playing time looks easier to me than the paths for some of the other upside picks people may have that in that range.

that's why i comp'd him to Brown tho, that's always been an issue with Brown and even tho he's gotten better it's still a weak point for him...not saying Whitmore will get there but his handle baseline is actually higher than Brown's coming out.

Maybe, but 30+% USG with around 45% of his 2s and only around 70% of his 3s being assisted is not what I would want from Whitmore barring some unforeseen improvement. Meanwhile Kuminga stands at around 20% USG with 60% of his 2s and almost 100% of his 3s being assisted. That looks more like what I would want to see from Whitmore. If he develops his handles and shot, he can still see his role changed to more of an on-ball threat.

Minga's usage right now is irrelevant just by virtue of his role on this Warriors team specifically, you can't project that type of role on Cam or anyone else but again, Minga's size is just a huge differentiator, he's essentially a big in our system

Brown seems to me to be the closest analog in terms of archetype, physical pro and weaknesses that need to be developed.

who ever mentioned Whitmore as an Ainge pick was right on, that's who I have him mocked going to so far.

[EvanZ]

Feel like measurements are going to really important for him. I could see him being a top 5 pick if he is really 6-7 with a big wingspan.
He is in that mix now for me with Thompson twins, Miller, Scoot, Smith.

but if it comes in 6-5ish with a meh wingspan he probably falls closer to 10. Where he will be in the Walker, Keyonte, Black, Gradey tier.

He measured at 6'5.75" barefoot with a 6'8" ws at Hoop Summit last year.

[Braggins]

He measured at 6'5.75" barefoot with a 6'8" ws at Hoop Summit last year.

I tried to guess his measurements in the Hornets draft thread earlier in the year after watching his first few games and guessed nearly exactly this. I think I said 6'5.5" barefoot with 6'8" wingspan.

[NYPiston]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

Yeah, that's the comp I see too. Brown was a little more refined in college in terms of scoring at multiple levels but I see some similarities stylistically. I'm just not sure that I see Whitmore as much of a ballhandler at the NBA level but hard to tell with him because Villanova doesn't really feature much ISO ball.

[Hal14]

i think he's more Jaylen Brown than Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga's size and pop is just a huge differentiator here...not saying he's be as good as Brown but that's the development path and role I see for him in the NBA

he's also a bit younger than Brown coming out and has been up to this point more efficient than what Brown was at Cal. he's actually kinda been getting underrated at this point imo and a pretty obvious lotto guy.

Yeah, that's the comp I see too. Brown was a little more refined in college in terms of scoring at multiple levels but I see some similarities stylistically. I'm just not sure that I see Whitmore as much of a ballhandler at the NBA level but hard to tell with him because Villanova doesn't really feature much ISO ball.

FIBA U18 last year and last season in HS he didn't handle the ball much either - just a guy who can shoot the 3 decently well, drive in straight lines, pretty good cutter, likes to get out and finish in transition. No mid range game..one reason why the jaylen brown comp makes no sense - Brown is 1 of the best mid range shooters in the NBA.

Not everyone needs a comp lol but imo the closest ones for whitmore are Ben Mathurin, Miles Bridges, Justin Lewis

[EvanZ]

Maybe Jason Richardson with even less feel and a tier lower explosiveness.


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[BostonCouchGM]

Feel like measurements are going to really important for him. I could see him being a top 5 pick if he is really 6-7 with a big wingspan.
He is in that mix now for me with Thompson twins, Miller, Scoot, Smith.

but if it comes in 6-5ish with a meh wingspan he probably falls closer to 10. Where he will be in the Walker, Keyonte, Black, Gradey tier.

He measured at 6'5.75" barefoot with a 6'8" ws at Hoop Summit last year.

I doubt that height is real. I think he’s slightly shorter which is Jaylens height but his wingspan is shorter. That kinda takes him out of the Jaylen and Kuminga comps and makes Miles Bridges more apt. But they’re all in that same tier of players. Ainge just traded for Agbaji who is similar to Whitmore so I don’t see him being a fit there. I could see Ainge drafting Black who should be a mid/late lottery guy since they need a floor general

[clyde21]

Jay B measured 6-5.25 at his combine so pretty much the same

[Hal14]

Jay B measured 6-5.25 at his combine so pretty much the same

Jaylen brown has a 7'0" wingspan. We'll see what Whitmore's is, but people on here are saying 6'8"

[clyde21]

Jay B measured 6-5.25 at his combine so pretty much the same

Jaylen brown has a 7'0" wingspan. We'll see what Whitmore's is, but people on here are saying 6'8"

6'8 seems right to me by eye test

[jman3134]

Whitmore is probably my favorite player in this draft class, not necessarily because of what he is putting on tape at the college level. He has the "it" factor when it comes to assertiveness/mental edge, and has been on record saying the Villanova system has been a lot to learn in year one. Watching Nova's offense, the spacing and ball movement have been awful, so we are not seeing what Cam is truly capable of at the pro level. I understand why some are lower on him - because his physical advantage may not necessarily give him the same edge in the NBA. But, he is the type of player who continues to develop this advantage, while honing in on his handle/dribble set up moves.