After rookie Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were ruled out for the rest of the NBA’s 2023 summer league, many analysts assumed the remainder of the Houston Rockets wouldn’t be as formidable.
That logic may have underestimated Houston’s supporting cast, though. Led by rookie Cam Whitmore and two-way players Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins, the summer Rockets are now 5-0 and in Monday’s championship game courtesy of Sunday’s 115-101 win (box score) over Utah (4-1) in the summer-league semifinals.
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Whitmore had 25 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in Sunday’s game on 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), including 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%). That was enough to outpace a Utah team led by Micah Potter, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds but on just 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%) and 4-of-17 on 3-pointers (23.5%).
Other Houston players to score in double figures included:
- Nate Hinton: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals; 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)
- Jermaine Samuels Jr.: 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Trevor Hudgins: 16 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)
- Fletcher Magee: 21 points, 5 rebounds; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%), 10-of-10 on free throws
Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Sunday’s game. In Monday’s final, the Rockets will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are also a perfect 5-0 in summer-league play to date.
Summer League, is Summer League but one thing about this Rockets group— they always play hard, they’re looking to make the right play and they look like they’re having fun.
Ben Sullivan has done a fantastic job.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) July 16, 2023
Cam Whitmore:
25 points
4 rebounds
4 assists
1 steal
2 blocks9/17 FG
4/11 3FG
3/3 FTStarted the game 0-of-3, but found his rhythm after that.
Rockets headed to the Summer League Championship Game ???? pic.twitter.com/UPKxX5V8lx
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 16, 2023
Cam Whitmore:
25 points
4 rebounds
4 assists
1 steal
2 blocks9/17 FG
4/11 3FG
3/3 FTStarted the game 0-of-3, but found his rhythm after that.
Rockets headed to the Summer League Championship Game ???? pic.twitter.com/UPKxX5V8lx
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 16, 2023
Cam Whitmore is going to make #Rockets training camp a very interesting experience. The upside is real.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 16, 2023
Show me the alleged medicals. While you’re at it, leak the list of teams that passed on him because he’s quiet.
I NEED TO KNOW https://t.co/Htytyuzhj7
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 16, 2023
What a great dime from Cam Whitmore, he’s basically taking the keys at this point
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 16, 2023
What an AMAZING drive and kick from Trevor Hudgins to a wide open Cam Whitmore in the corner.
That very well may be the Finals clinching shot.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) July 16, 2023
(On Jermaine Samuels Jr.), “He’s kind of like the ultimate glue guy,” Sullivan said. “He’s always in the right spot, both offensively and defensively. He executes what we’re trying to do. He knows how to defend without fouling. He’ll take charges. I really like him.” #Rockets https://t.co/8g2pF1pkRu pic.twitter.com/5fLGaBWYSM
— Chris A. White ???? (@fyrebear) July 14, 2023
Fletcher Magee had 21 points on only 7 shots for the #Rockets today:
21 PTS | 4/7 FG | 3/4 3PT | 10/10 FT | 92.1 TS%
• 3rd all time on the college 3PT made list (509)
• 40% or more from three all 4 years in college
• 90% or more on free throws all 4 years of collegeSniper. pic.twitter.com/iHIvk3Hw54
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 17, 2023
FINAL: #Rockets 115-101 Jazz.
Nate Hinton: 27 pts, 5 rebs, 5 stls
Cam Whitmore: 25 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts
Fletcher Magee: 21 pts, 5 rebs
Trevor Hudgins: 16 pts, 9 asts, 5 rebs
Jermaine Samuels Jr: 13 pts, 10 rebs
Matthew Mayer: 8 pts, 4 rebs
Darius Days: 5 pts, 5 rebsFINAL! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/9f6VCGt2Jg
— Clutch City Brasil (@ClutchCityBR) July 16, 2023
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