Ranking the top 5 prospects for the Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft
#1: Cam Whitmore
I’ve heard a lot about Whitmore’s potential limitations, especially when it comes to passing. He had way more turnovers than assists in college with a high usage rate, which is not a great sign. However, he’s not going to asked to be the primary playmaker and will have much better players around him than he did in college, so this doesn’t concern me. What does concern me is that he is an athletic freak with massive two-way potential. He’s already very good at getting to the rim and finishing and if he can continue to improve from mid-range and the 3-point line, he could be one of the top-3 players in this draft. Watching his film reminds me a little of a young Donovan Mitchell. I’m not saying Whitmore will get to that level, but he has that type of powerful offensive game around the rim and is very good at using his athleticism to get there.
One thing I don’t hear mentioned much about Whitmore is that he is 1.5 years younger than the Thompson Twins (who have been playing against teenagers in meaningless games) and Brandon Miller, so Whitmore still has plenty of time to improve on his weaknesses. He was playing against much-better competition than the Thompsons, is a year and a half younger, just as athletic and already a better shooter, so what am I missing here? Whitmore comes from Villanova, a program, that preaches and teaches defense, so with his athleticism he may have the most two-way potential on the board.
He would give Detroit three plus athletes in the starting five and a guy who should fit well with Cade and Ivey, especially if he starts knocking down 3-point shots like he did in the NBA Combine.