Villanova in the Pros
Villanova in the Pros: Cam Whitmore Vents Frustration With Role

A 2023 first round selection after going one-and-done with the Villanova Wildcats, Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore has taken part in 62 NBA games over the past season and a half, starting just two of those contests — both during his rookie season in 2023-24.
Rockets starting win Tari Eason went down with an injury in mid-December, spurring Houston to recall Whitmore from their G-League affiliate. While he’s performed admirably in that time, averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 17 minutes per night, there still hasn’t been much consistency to his role.
Whitmore appeared to express frustration with the situation following the Rockets’ Jan. 1 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Cam Whitmore Sounds Off
“I contributed a little bit, but it doesn’t really affect anything,” Whitmore said of his 18 point outing. “Doesn’t really, you know, can’t get me anywhere, but we’ll see what happens, but just glad we got the win.”
When asked if he’s in a “weird spot with where [he’s] at right now” — Whitmore shot that idea down.
“Nah, not a weird spot. I just don’t know, I just don’t know what’s going on, I have a lot of question marks for myself,” Whitmore said. “I just don’t what’s going on, what the deal with me is.”
Those might sound like the comments of a player frustrated at their lack of a bigger role… but Whitmore shot that idea down as well when asked.
“No. No, I don’t,” Whitmore said. What will it take for him to feel that way?
“[Shoot,] I don’t know,” Whitmore said. “I mean, I really don’t know: I have a lot of question marks for myself… I have no idea, I don’t know what other things I can do.”
Here‘s the full clip in its puzzling entirety.
Ime Udoka Responds
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka responded to Cam Whitmore’s comments during an appearance on The Matt Thomas Show, a sports talk show on Houston’s KBME radio station.
“I’m totally fine with people expressing whatever they need to express. We’ve had a ton of meetings and one-on-one, myself and him and other coaches,” Udoka said. “There’s an understanding of what’s expected and what’s going to help him get on the floor in terms of growth.
Udoka continued.
“If you know me, you know I am not a sensitive person at all. Guys can express what they need to, we’ll have those discussions, and so I am totally fine with what he said. The part that I will reiterate to him — everything I say publicly, I’ll say it times ten behind closed doors to our guys — and so getting across those points and he understands what he needs to do to be on the floor and improve as far as that, and I think he’s taken those steps and done that.”