Kofi Inkoom
The Houston Rockets have made changes to their player lineup, bringing back Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr., and Cam Whitmore from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, their G League affiliate, reports Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets.
Cam Whitmore rejoins the Rockets after undergoing development in the G-League, returning just in time for a crucial game against the LA Clippers.
In the preseason, Whitmore exhibited flashes of his skill, maintaining an average of 11.4 points with a shooting percentage of 37.5% in 18 minutes.
However, his playmaking fell short, recording less than half a point in assists per game and displaying a less-than-ideal assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Rockets coaching staff has expressed concern over his defensive performance, allowing 12.8 points in the paint and holding an 83.3 defensive rating.
While with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Whitmore has excelled, averaging an impressive 24.3 points with a 49% efficiency in 34 minutes across three games.
His three-point shooting stands out at 48.4%, attempting 10.3 shots per game, instilling confidence in his return to the active roster.
Notably, Whitmore’s recent standout game showcased 29 points, six assists, and three steals, demonstrating efficiency with a 9-of-13 field goal record and an impressive 7-of-10 performance from beyond the arc.
The Rockets have secured victories in their most recent six games and are set to face the struggling Clippers, who have faced consecutive losses, dropping their last six games and five since the onset of the James Harden era.
The upcoming match poses a precarious situation, as the winner will break the losing/winning streak for the other team.