From a young age, Cam Whitmore was told that he was destined for greatness.
The 2023 NBA Draft is approaching, so that prophecy may soon be fulfilled for the projected top-five pick, but it was his upbringing, and teachings from his father in particular, that laid the foundation for Whitmore to reach these heights.
His father, Myron Whitmore, is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force.
The elder Whitmore often was stationed far from his family in Maryland during his 30 years of service, and Cam certainly felt the impact.
“Just him stationed somewhere, I don’t even know. I was a kid so I didn’t really know much about the military until they told me,” Cam Whitmore said. “Him stationing somewhere else, him working overtime throughout the nights, coming back late nights and just him going through that process really made me realize, like, damn, he really wants to be successful in life,” Cam Whitmore said. “So that’s something I try to look up after.”
Though Myron Whitmore often was away during Cam’s young life, the father still made plenty of effort to be in his son’s life and teach him lessons along the way.
Myron introduced Cam to the game of basketball when he was just 5 years old, and noticed his son had the appropriate strength and desire for the game.
That desire ultimately helped Whitmore become a five-star prospect, McDonald’s All-American and a standout forward at Villanova for his one-and-done 2022-23 season.
Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune knew how impressive the 6-foot-7 forward’s game and physical traits were coming into the college basketball season, but what he wasn’t aware of was Whitmore’s commendable character and the mental toughness that was instilled in him by his father.
“I think Myron did an unbelievable job being a mentor, obviously father, to Cam,” Neptune said. “I think he is the one, both him and his wife Beth, that did a good job keeping him on the straight and narrow. He doesn’t have too many people around him, he really locks in with his family… I think they’ve done a great job at navigating a really tough world of basketball that we live in. It is not always easy to navigate as a high-level athlete.”
Being a high-level athlete also can mean injuries at unfortunate times.
Whitmore injured his right thumb during the preseason, had surgery and had to miss the first month of last season.
But rather than going through the motions in dealing with his injury, the dedication and willingness to stay ready that he learned from his father helped him return from the setback better than ever.
“For a freshman in college basketball to be able to come in and pick up not only a new system and a new way of playing, but also deal with the physical rigors of playing at the college level, it’s tough for anyone,” Neptune said. “And when you say, hey, you’re going to be out for part of the preseason and out for some of the season games, that would be a blow [for most freshmen]. To Cam’s credit, what he did this year with the injury and being able to come in and it was almost like he didn’t miss a beat, is remarkable.”
After returning from the injury on Dec. 3, Whitmore played a significant role for the Wildcats, averaging 12.5 points per game and 5.3 rebounds a night.
That ultimately earned him Big East Freshman of the Year honors and a unanimous selection to the conference All-Freshman Team.
The buzz from the prospect’s play certainly caught the attention of NBA teams and scouts, but Whitmore, who is still just 18, doesn’t believe his game is the only thing he can contribute to an organization.
“I bring joy to the team,” Whitmore said, “not just in the locker room overall and on the court, but off the court as well. I’m a loving and caring person.”
That personality is no doubt a product of his father’s mentorship and tutelage.
Though there were many teachings Myron Whitmore instilled in his son, there is one thing Cam remembers everyday and even got tattooed on himself.
“Destined for greatness,” Cam said. “He always said I was destined for greatness.”