4. Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
Big Board 3.0 rank: 4
Whitmore is shaping up to be the hidden gem of the 2023 class.
Not many players, if any, can match Whitmore’s pure explosion as an athlete. The 6-foot-7 forward repeatedly blew past defenders during his lone season with the Wildcats and often finished those plays by elevating up and over defenders at the rim for vicious dunks or nifty layups.
That explosiveness and finishing ability, coupled with an eye for off-ball cuts, drove Whitmore to shoot 58 percent on two-point shots at a high volume last season.
At 230 pounds, he has plenty of strength to go along with that burst, which helps him as a rebounder, both on the offensive and defensive glass. His size, strength, and athleticism also point to defensive versatility; Whitmore should be able to guard two through four in the NBA and will be able to stick with smaller centers, as well.
He flashes the handles – specifically an advanced crossover – to shake defenders off the bounce and rise up for a jumper, although his shot creation is a work in progress. He averaged 0.7 assists per game during his freshman campaign, so playmaking is not a forte of his, to say the least.
Still, Whitmore’s combination of size, strength, explosiveness, and handles, along with the fact that he’s one of the youngest prospects in the entire class, point to legitimate superstar upside.