2023 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Mavs’ $750K fine pays off
Portland Trail Blazers. Cam Whitmore. 7. player. 34. . F // Villanova
The Blazers tend to like young athletes who leap off the screen, literally and figuratively. Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe — they clearly have a type. And Cam Whitmore fits the bill. He’s also tremendous value at No. 7, despite speculation about the Villanova product’s potentially wide range on draft night.
The appeal of Whitmore is fairly simple. His combination of size (6-foot-7), strength (230 pounds), and power athleticism is not common. Skill development will be crucial for Whitmore, but he moves with the explosive elegance of a future star. He can shred defenders with a lightning-quick first step before gliding through traffic like a meteor through the night sky.
He’s not that far behind his peers in the skill department either. He hit a respectable percentage of his 3s at Villanova and he displays real juice off the dribble. Whitmore is not quite a polished self-creator, but he has tight handles and the twitchy athleticism to one day become that. For now, he will offer plenty of offensive support as a slasher and play finisher — spotting up for 3s or cutting and making himself available above the rim.
He also possesses one of the highest defensive ceilings in the draft. Again, that elite athleticism makes it easy to look past his flaws and imagine what could be. Whitmore has the tools to credibly guard 3-4 positions every night, he’s no stranger to highlight blocks, and his instincts regularly shine through on the defensive end. Damian Lillard would probably prefer a more established star, but Whitmore has the potential to make a significant two-way impact sooner than later.