2023 NBA First Round Draft Pick Being Sent Down To G-League
11/07/2023 05:07 PM
After appearing in three games to begin the season, the Houston Rockets are sending one of their 2023 first-round draft picks to their G-League affiliate.
Competition for minutes is fierce within Ime Udoka's team to begin the year, and rookie Cam Whitmore seems to be the odd man out.
#Rockets are sending Cam Whitmore to the G League squad in Rio Grande Valley, per a team source.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) November 7, 2023
Not exactly sure when the move will be announced. G League season starts Friday.
Whitmore will be heading to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers as the team is set to begin the G-League season on Friday, according to Michael Shapiro of the Houston Chronicle.
The 19-year-old was selected with the 20th overall pick in this year's draft after many believed he would be a lottery pick.
Medical concerns and a less-than-impressive pre-draft process contributed to Whitmore's slide down the draft board, but many believed that he could find a place for himself on Houston's roster.
That hasn't happened yet, but Whitmore will get the chance to get more playing time and a better feel for the game with the G-League team.
He only played around eight minutes per game in his NBA appearances, but it's likely that he will be the first or second option for the Vipers.
Whitmore was a five-star recruit out of high school, opting to play for Villanova in his one and only college season.
He was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points per game for the Wildcats.