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Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe benched Cam Whitmore due to what sources described to Grant Afseth of RG as poor practice habits.

Keefe publicly remarked over the weekend that Whitmore wasn’t meeting “certain standards,” though he declined to elaborate, saying those details would remain internal.

According to Afseth, the move reflects Keefe’s emphasis on accountability, consistency, and developing strong day-to-day habits for all players on the roster.

Washington had hoped Whitmore would take a meaningful step forward in his third NBA season after being acquired from Houston, where he struggled to secure steady minutes on a deep team.

Instead, his production has looked similar to previous years. He’s averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game, shooting 45.6% from the field but a career-low 28.6% from three, numbers that have limited his impact so far.

With Whitmore’s role shrinking, Will Riley has become the primary beneficiary. Afseth notes that Riley has earned a reliable place in the rotation by providing the type of energy Keefe prioritizes.

Over his last three outings, the rookie forward has averaged 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while reinforcing his case for consistent playing time.

Afseth also reports that Whitmore’s situation isn’t permanent. The Wizards haven’t closed the door on his future, but he’ll need to meet the standards Keefe has laid out.

The organization is assessing each young player based on daily habits and long-term growth, and Whitmore will have to show improvement in those areas to regain a steady role.

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