Rookie guard Amen Thompson, a first-round pick by the Rockets in the 2023 NBA draft, is no longer with Houston’s G League affiliate after being recalled to the parent club on Saturday morning.
Fellow rookie Cam Whitmore, also drafted by Houston in the 2023 first round, is still with the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers. And in Saturday’s Thompson-less game at the Birmingham Squadron, Whitmore made a big impression in RGV’s 132-99 win (box score).
Whitmore finished with a career-high 42 points in only 29 minutes, shooting 15-of-23 from the field (65.2%) and 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Only 19 years old, the athletic 6-foot-7 forward from Villanova also tallied 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and made 4-of-5 free throws (80.0%), and the Vipers were +31 during his minutes.
Whitmore’s potential role with the 2023-24 Rockets, if any, may not become clear until there’s an injury, trade, or a string of sub-standard performances later in the season. But in the meantime, his strong showings in the G League are certainly turning heads for the likes of general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka.
Here’s a look at Whitmore’s highlights, top plays, and fan reaction.