The Washington Wizards announced that forward Cam Whitmore has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder and will be out indefinitely. The 21-year-old, who was traded to the team from the Houston Rockets this offseason, had missed recent games due to shoulder soreness. This condition, which can lead to serious health risks, has affected several NBA players in recent years.
Cam Whitmore's diagnosis came after further evaluation of what was initially reported as right shoulder soreness. He had sat out the Wizards' last six games, with the final two specifically attributed to the injury. The team made the announcement on Tuesday, highlighting the need for careful management of the condition.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involves the formation of blood clots in deep veins, often in the legs or arms, and in Whitmore's case, his right shoulder. If untreated, these clots can travel to the lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Treatment typically includes blood-thinning medications, though the Wizards did not specify Whitmore's plan.
Whitmore, selected No. 20 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2023 NBA Draft, is in his third professional season. He has been a rotation player for the Wizards, averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game off the bench this season. In his most recent 11 games, he posted 10.4 points on 47% shooting from the floor.
This marks the latest instance of DVT among NBA players. Last season, Damian Lillard missed time after a clot formed in his right calf in March, but he returned for the Milwaukee Bucks' playoffs in late April before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. Victor Wembanyama's 2023-24 season with the San Antonio Spurs ended early due to a shoulder DVT in February, causing him to miss the final 29 games; he has since returned strongly this season. Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson also recovered from DVT that sidelined him during his rookie year and early last season, now thriving with career-high averages.
Other notable cases include Brandon Ingram in 2019 and Chris Bosh, whose career ended at age 31 in 2015 after complications. For the Wizards, who hold the league's worst record at 5-22, the priority remains Whitmore's long-term health over immediate on-court impact, as they lose wing depth in their rotation.
