Ranking the 5 best small forwards in the 2023 NBA Draft

NBA Draft #3: Cam Whitmore, Villanova

There’s a fair question as to whether or not Cam Whitmore is a small forward or a power forward. Either way, he’s got a shot at being a lottery pick in the draft.

During his only season with the Villanova Wildcats, Whitmore averaged 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. His production came despite a thumb injury that sidelined him at the start of the season.

The 6-foot-7 wing is an explosive athlete, one whose potential helps stack up against other forwards in the draft with higher production. He’s long and strong, possessing the right body to become a star two-way wing.

Whitmore’s explosiveness is probably his best attribute. When he’s going downhill, defenders better watch out. He can body small defenders and push aside bigger ones. He makes strong cuts, able to find his way to the basket at a moment’s notice, even if he doesn’t create for himself.

His inconsistency does create some concerns for the NBA, particularly his inability to knock down threes at a consistent clip. He should spend plenty of time in the gym this summer, putting up shots from beyond the perimeter.

He’s another prospect that’s raw, but has all the potential to be a regular starter in the NBA, perhaps even more. That’s why mock drafts have him anywhere from the mid-teens all the way up to the top five.