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Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

By Harrison Brown

Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 04: Cam Whitmore of the Villanova Wildcats reacts. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 04: Cam Whitmore of the Villanova Wildcats reacts. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

1. Cam Whitmore, Villanova

Lost 62-57 vs. Liberty (NIT First Round)

Cam Whitmore has excellent size for a guard at 6-foot-7 and is one of the more complete scorers in college. He is explosive and can create for himself with limited turnovers.

His playmaking for other teammates needs work, but he is one of the better offensive players at the top of this draft. He seems to struggle to bring effort on defense, but in time these mental lapses should be fixed.

Whitmore shoots efficient shots either behind the arc or at the rim, rarely in between. He plays with rhythmic ball handling that lulls the defender and a fluid jump shot. On the perimeter he can utilize the pick and roll to find space for his shot, but also is great at moving without the ball.

He has more confidence than most freshmen and is not afraid to shoot off the catch or off the dribble. He doesn’t try to do too much on offense and limits his turnovers by driving in straight lines.

Whitmore also has a quick first step where defenders have to play him on the perimeter based on his 35 percent shooting from three on 4.1 attempts this season.

His release is slow where he takes his time to set his feet, but this should be adjusted by the time the NBA combine rolls around. Shooting in the NBA has to be quick, methodical, and accurate with zero wasted motion.

He finishes well in the paint, but Villanova plays such a spread-out offense most of his shots at the rim are hardly contested.

At times, Whitmore can look slow, almost stuck in sand. This stamina will continue to develop as he is on 18-years-old, but he also possesses above the rim attributes.

He can explode off two feet to the basket for tantalizing dunks. Being able to jump off two feet keeps strong body control and allows Whitmore to finish through contact.

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On defense, he has a tendency to stand up out of his defensive stance when off the ball. Luckily, at the college level, he can make up for this with his athleticism, but not in the NBA.

Discipline on defense will be a calling card at the next level, but he is willing to sacrifice his body for rebounds.

Whitmore comes from a long line of Villanova wings who have excelled at the NBA level and there won’t be many concerns about his ability to play in the league. The Wildcats are playing in the NIT this year, but as a projected top-10 selection, Whitmore will still be worth the watch.