NEW YORK — If upside is the name of the rebuilding game, the Houston Rockets got a whole lot of it and then some Thursday.
For weeks and months leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft, Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson and Villanova’s Cam Whitmore have consistently ranked at the top of draft boards, with their sheer talent and oozing potential quite appealing to NBA teams with high lottery picks.
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The Rockets, in the course of their internal evaluation and scouting, held both players in high regard and, on many nights, had conversations about drafting one or the other. In recent days, the discussions at No. 4 had shifted to Amen or his twin brother, Ausar, but the interest in Whitmore was legitimate. Somehow, Houston was able to leave the draft with both.
“We’re really happy,” general manager Rafael Stone said early Friday. “We feel like we got two really talented guys and improved the potential of our team on a going-forward basis. Today was a really good day.”
Amid what turned out to be a very dramatic and busy evening, The Athletic managed to chat with both Thompson and Whitmore. You can read the two conversations below, which have edited for clarity.
Amen, you visited and worked out with the Rockets last week. What about that meeting stuck with you personally?
Just that they were looking for a change. They were looking to turn the franchise around and get some wins. I wanted to be a part of that.
What sort of conversations did you have with the front office and John Lucas during the workout?
We were just trying to get to know each other. John Lucas is very exciting. I would love to get to train with him, he brings out the best in you. But just trying to get to know each other and see if I’m a good fit.
On paper, you fit quite well with Jalen Green. Looking at other guys on the roster — Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason — how do you pair with players like that?
I think I pair really well with all of those guys. I think we’re a big lineup that can lock up on defense. I think getting Jabari and Jalen easier, wide-open looks, their 3-point percentage is going to go up. They’re going to be utilized in a better way. I think that’s just what we need, and I need them too.
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You’ve mentioned the need to create more efficient looks for others on numerous occasions. Why does that resonate so much with you?
When you have so many talented players in Houston, I might not always be the best option — we have so many options. Jalen, KPJ, Jabari, Alperen Şengün. Being able to get my guys looks and making them happy, I just feel like that’s what’s best.
A lot has been said about your jump shot. What can you say about it right now, and how can you improve it?
Improving everyday, I’m just trying to get better. Become a better shooter. It’s going to take time. But I put in work, so I’m not worried about that. I know I’m going to be a great shooter. Just going to get to my strengths until then.
(Looking) at the film from OTE, seeing you attack in transition and get downhill is clearly a strength of yours. But where do you think you excel the most?
I think I excel the most in transition. And just turning defense into offense. On the fast break, I feel like nobody can really stop me.
Any conversations with new head coach Ime Udoka? I know there’s a certain style he likes to run and the sort of culture he wants to establish, also going with the intangibles you bring to the table.
I’m looking forward to having more conversations with him. I’m going to try to get his number right now. We haven’t really talked about that, but I know he’s a winner. I’m a winner. And I want to be a part of a winning franchise.
What about the whole pre-draft process stood out to you the most? Just getting to Houston, seeing the facilities, speaking with all the individuals and envisioning what it could be down the line?
I love the city. I love the culture around the city. I don’t know, for some reason, I’ve been envisioning myself as a Rocket for a minute now. And I’m not even just saying that ’cause I went to the Rockets. But I don’t know, I feel like it’s meant to be. It’s destiny.
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How do you see yourself playing off a center like Şengün? How can the two of you amplify each other’s skillsets?
He’s a great playmaker. I feel like the easiest way to make plays is out of the high post. A lot of backdoor cuts, and we have the athletic guys to throw lobs, run and having as many playmakers on the court as possible. We probably got like four or five now. That’s how the new game’s gone.
You take defending very seriously. In a day and age where that doesn’t make a highlight reel or Instagram clip, why is that side of the ball so important to you?
I think defense wins games. That’s all I was taught when I was younger, just play defense. So that’s what I’m looking forward to bringing at a high level.
Cam, take me through Thursday night. You’re sitting in the green room hearing name after name after name called in the first round. I’m sure there’s a certain level of pride having been assumed to go much higher than No. 20. What’s going through your mind then?
I mean, nothing new. I just knew what it was. Probably after a couple picks, I’m like, ‘All right.’ I know what it is, I know it’s time. I have that chip on my shoulder, but I’ve been overlooked before. It’s nothing new.
When you came to Houston to workout and visit with the team, how was that whole process? Getting to know personnel and everything?
I mean, I already knew all the guys. It’s a new coaching staff coming in, so I think it’s something we can really turn around. We can build that culture back up again. We can make it something special.
There’s clearly a reason you were mocked so highly for so many weeks — the athleticism, explosiveness and scoring potential. How does that pair with players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and others?
It’s a lot of guys. I mean, everybody over there (is) athletic — you didn’t even mention Kenyon (Martin Jr.). But it’s a lot of athletes, a lot of running up the floor, a lot of fun. That’s really it.
Where do you see your game defensively right now? You’ve talked about priding yourself on that side of the ball, and from a physical standpoint, your frame should lend you well at the next level. We saw shades at Villanova. What happens now in Houston?
You mentioned Villanova. We had a tougher conference this year. Every (game) was a battle in the Big East. I think that can really translate to the NBA, and it can really help me out.
What about your potential as an off-ball threat? You were solid in catch-and-shoot situations last year, but movement off the ball as a shooter should come in handy playing for Ime Udoka. The ball could be in a number of players’ hands.
In my opinion, I think I thrived at that when I was at Nova off the ball. But in the modern day game at the NBA, that can translate easily.
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Did you watch any film of the Rockets during this pre-draft process? If so, what did you see that intrigued you?
I’m not gonna lie, I watched everybody. All of the teams. I’m just an NBA fan.
What did you see from Houston?
I saw Kenyon Martin Jr. banging on everybody every game, that’s what I saw. But Jalen Green got busy last year. I already know a lot about the guys.
What part of your game do you consider to be underrated? We’ve heard the talk about your ability to process the game as an area for improvement. But how do you see it?
I think I can really pass. Definitely, I made some dumb decisions sometimes. Everybody’s human at the end of the day. But my playmaking ability can definitely improve, and it’s very underrated. But other than that, I can shoot. I know I’m a shooter. Every time I shoot the ball, I think it can go in, but that’s something I’m trying to prove — that I can shoot consistently.
One positive was your cutting ability, finding gaps in defense and exploiting them. How can that pair with a passing big man in Alperen Şengün or now with Amen Thompson?
If someone has the ball in their hands — I went through that at Nova and tried to impact the team in any way possible outside of having the ball in my hands. Trying to impact the team in any way possible, that’s all I’ve been about ever since I was a youngin. Just trying to help the team.
There’s four uber-athletic guys on the roster now: Jalen, Amen, K.J. and now yourself. Who’s winning a dunk contest between you guys?
Dunk contest? Ah, I’m not gonna lie, I’m not really a flashy dunker. Maybe. I got myself up there though. You gotta have the confidence.
(Top photo of Amen Thompson: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
