Touted Villanova freshman Cam Whitmore set for thumb surgical procedure

Villanova star freshman Cam Whitmore, a projected top-10 NBA draft decide, will endure surgical procedure subsequent week on his proper thumb after injuring it in apply on Wednesday, the college introduced Friday.

Whitmore will probably be reevaluated in early November.

“We’re dissatisfied for Cam,” Villanova first-year coach Kyle Neptune mentioned. “All through the preseason he is labored onerous to be taught our ideas and what it takes to be efficient within the Huge East. This can be a short-term setback, although, and we all know Cam will strategy his rehab with an excellent angle.”

Whitmore, a 6-foot-7 small ahead from Archbishop Spalding (Maryland), was ranked No. 21 within the ESPN 100 for the 2022 class. He earned McDonald’s All-American honors. Whitmore additionally excelled for the USA Basketball U18 group on the FIBA U18 Americas this previous summer time, averaging 18.7 factors and 6.3 rebounds whereas taking pictures higher than 70% from contained in the arc and 45.5% from 3-point vary. The USA gained the gold medal.

He has raised his NBA inventory as a lot as any draft-eligible participant over the previous few months and is at present projected because the No. 5 decide in ESPN’s newest 2023 mock draft.

Villanova opens its season — the primary one underneath Neptune, who changed Jay Wright after he retired following 21 seasons with the Wildcats — at residence towards La Salle on Nov. 7. It is one other damage situation for Neptune, who can also be with out All-Huge East guard Justin Moore. Moore tore his proper Achilles in final yr’s NCAA event and is out indefinitely.

Caleb Daniels (damaged nostril) and Trey Patterson (sports activities hernia) are additionally at present sidelined.

Villanova was ranked No. 12 in ESPN’s last Method-Too-Early Prime 25.