Ime Udoka On Cam Whitmore’s Future In Houston: ‘we’re Very Clear With What’s Needed’

With Tari Eason back and mostly healthy this season, the Houston Rockets didn’t have as much room for Cam Whitmore in their 2024-25 playing rotation as they did in 2023-24 (when Eason was injured).

That was difficult on Whitmore, a 20-year-old wing prospect drafted out of Villanova in the 2023 first round. Earlier this year, he openly questioned his role to reporters.

At this week’s end-of-season media availability, head coach Ime Udoka was asked a question about Whitmore that invoked those comments, and Udoka said those came as a surprise to him.

Udoka replied:

I was a little caught off guard by that as well, because we’ve had in-depth conversations with Cam, probably more than anybody. I’m pretty clear with what is going to get you on the court and what's going to help you sustain a role. So I'll leave it at that, as far as that, but plenty of conversations.

We’re very clear with what's needed. And you know, opportunities are there and not always taken advantage of, or other guys step up and play a little better at times, and you look for that consistency there.

A ton of potential there, just the consistency is the main thing. And he knows that.

Given his young age, Whitmore could be a candidate to play limited minutes at the NBA’s annual summer league in Las Vegas. Those games will take place in July, and the Rockets have yet to indicate plans for its roster. Whitmore has featured on Houston’s summer-league roster for the last two years, although he was only a partial participant in 2024 games.

As things stand, the Rockets have another high first-round draft pick likely to join the team this offseason (via a 2025 selection from the Phoenix Suns), which could further add to the competition for minutes and opportunities among young players.

Over two NBA seasons and 98 career games, Whitmore has averaged 10.8 points (44.9% FG, 35.7% on 3-pointers) and 3.4 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. His elite athleticism makes him a scoring threat and a lethal transition player, but the Rockets would like to see improvements made in areas such as defense, shot selection, and passing.

More: ‘We’ll see what happens’: Despite recent form, Cam Whitmore uncertain of role with Rockets

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ime Udoka on Cam Whitmore’s future: ‘Very clear with what’s needed’