During Monday’s media day to launch 2023-24 Houston Rockets training camp, rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore kicked off what they each hope is a long and distinguished NBA career.
Both rookies played well at the NBA’s 2023 summer league, but they know the competition will be much steeper against veteran players. That competition begins at training camp, where both Thompson and Whitmore will look to make their case for minutes.
Buy Rockets Tickets“I’ll be ready for this NBA season,” Whitmore said after earning summer-league MVP honors. “Guys are much bigger, much faster.”
With Kevin Porter Jr. no longer with the team after his recent arrest for an alleged assault, Whitmore could be in line for more minutes off the bench, head coach Ime Udoka confirmed Monday.
Whitmore, a Villanova product, was drafted at No. 20 overall in June. Thompson, who played for the Overtime Elite professional league, was Houston’s top pick at No. 4 in the first round.
Here’s a roundup of what we heard from Houston’s rookie duo at Monday’s media day from Toyota Center. Training camp starts Tuesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Amen Thompson at 2023 Rockets Media Day
Amen Thompson says he’s learned a lot from the teachings of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason.
Love to see the young guys step into leadership roles. #Rockets
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) October 2, 2023
Amen Thompson on his 2023-24 goals:
“To win Rookie of the Year, be on the All-Defensive Team, and make the playoffs.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/LDQNrbICLK
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 2, 2023
Amen Thompson on Alperen Sengun: "Alpi is a lot better passer than I had seen, and you see a lot about his passing."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
Amen Thompson checking in 🤟 pic.twitter.com/KzfihfdRWi
— 𝓝𝔂𝔁 (@NyxRockets) October 2, 2023
Cam Whitmore at 2023 Rockets Media Day
Jalen Green said he was the one with the best dunk package on the team, but #Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore counters that it's him. "I'm a power dunker. My first priority when I go to the rim is to rise above my defenders."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
Cam Whitmore: "I would say I'm grateful to be drafted by the rockets. I got some vets, coming in they give a lot of advice coming into the game and how you're supposed to take care of your body."@BackSportsPage #Rockets
— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) October 2, 2023
Cam on playing in Houston: "The city of Houston is definitely my type of atmosphere."#Rockets @HoustonRockets @BackSportsPage
— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) October 2, 2023
Cam on his goals in the NBA: "No goals, just gonna get my feet wet."@HoustonRockets #Rockets @BackSportsPage
— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) October 2, 2023
Cam on the competition: "I'll be ready for this NBA season, guys are much bigger much faster."
— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) October 2, 2023
Cam on his mindset for Rockets basketball:
"Same mindset same person, same confidence, same mentality, encourage my teammates every day."— Jeremy Gretzer (@jr_gretzer) October 2, 2023
