New Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore doesn’t understand the medical concerns that likely caused him to fall to No. 20 in the first round.
“I feel fine,” the 18-year-old told reporters after Thursday’s NBA draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. “I have no idea.”
Whitmore was believed under consideration by the Rockets for the No. 4 pick; some analysts had projected him to be selected over Amen Thompson (the eventual choice).
Yet, for whatever reason, the athletic 6-foot-7 forward tumbled out of the lottery entirely and was available for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone to select with Houston’s second first-round pick.
According to multiple reporters, team sources indicated they didn’t see any red flags when reviewing Whitmore’s medicals.
Here’s a roundup of what Whitmore had to say, along with reaction from fans and analysts within the draft community. Stone will meet with reporters for further discussion late Thursday night.