NBA Draft: Cam Whitmore Will Make A Compelling Case For 1st Overall

While Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Ivey are the young and exciting crop of potential NBA stars, the 22 Draft is rather meh in my honest and humble opinion. Why? It’s hard not to look forward to the stacked 2023 class. The loaded talent pool that’s coming next year dwarfs the 2022 selection by a wide margin. By all means, I’m not here to diminish the 2022 class, however, I’m just pointing out facts.

All that’s seemingly been talked about for this generational 2023 class is the battle for 1 and 2. An international sensation, Victor Wembenyama, and G-League Ignite star, Scoot Henderson have become the apple of many GMs’ eyes. While they are the likely locks for 1 and 2, Cam Whitmore might actually challenge for the top overall pick.

You’ve got to be thinking I’m crazy for this thought. Whitmore, a 5-Star Villanova recruit, hasn’t had near the buzz or appeal as others in his class, let alone Wembenyama or Henderson. However, if the FIBA U-18 Tournament taught us anything, it’s that Whitmore is just as special of a prospect as the other two alphas in 2023.

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I’ll go on record, Whitmore will be talked about and have a solid spike in conversation as the top pick in 2023. Why is that the case? Did the U-18s really give us that much more of a glimpse into his potential than we’ve already had? In a simple one-word reply, yes. In my eyes, Whitmore went from a borderline Top-10 to an unquestioned Top-3. His play in the tournament was just damn near relentless, and perhaps ruthless.

Let’s put this in perspective, Whitmore had arguably the most dominant FIBA U-18 run for any American. His dominance in the Gold Medal game alone, 23 points in the first half, gives us an idea of how he will look to control the game when he’s on the court. Whitmore takes over, similar to that of Steph Curry or Dame Lillard, this isn’t a player who’s going to sit back and let others determine his fate.

Believe me, Whitmore knows how to score from different areas of the court. He’s going to get him, and won’t back down in clutch situations. You see that bulldog mentality in him. You ask yourself, who in the 22 draft class do you see that in? I for one couldn’t look you in the eye and tell you that’s Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero. Now, Whitmore, I can confidently say he’s that guy. Whitmore does share a few other skills that are eerily similar to other former MVPs and top picks.

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In transition, Whitmore has Giannis-like fluidity getting to the basket and pairs that with Zion-like power throwing down. He’s very efficient in transition, shooting 85 percent on transition baskets. His 3-point shot was also falling, going 10-22 (45.3 percent). Whitmore has been praised for his shot selection and basketball IQ (which is my favorite trait about fellow 23 draftee, Scoot Henderson). He knows where he’s most effective in certain situations. Scouts have also praised his defensive ability; he can guard any position on the court.

With Whitmore, there are obviously some issues (as there is any player). I’d argue that he could be a bit better off the dribble. Whitmore has a very good handle, I still need to be sold on him creating separation and blowing by opponents. However, I’m really grasping at straws there.

It’s a shame for Whitmore that Scoot Henderson and Victor Wembenyama are such basketball prodigies. Whitmore has some very solid intangibles that scouts look for. In any other year, he’d be the unquestionable 1 pick. However, 2023 is absolutely loaded. I’ll still believe, at the end of the day, Whitmore is in the conversation for the top overall pick.

Image Source: Scott Taetsch/For The Washington Post)