- Reed Sheppard (+600) and Zach Edey (+650) are the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award
- Zaccharie Risacher (+850) and Alexandre Sarr (+900) were the top two picks in the 2024 NBA Draft
- The 2024–25 NBA season will tip off a full 82-game schedule on Tuesday, October 22
Reed Sheppard tops the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Odds after averaging 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals in four NBA Summer League games. The Houston Rockets guard also topped an ESPN poll that asked NBA executives and scouts who they believed would come away with the award this season.
Before we check the latest award odds and make our winning picks, check out the best NBA Basketball Betting Sites in 2024.
NBA Rookie of the Year
Sheppard or Edey?
Reed Sheppard (+600) was selected No. 3 overall by the Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft. The former Kentucky Wildcat looked comfortable running point in the Rockets offense this summer. Paired on a young Houston team with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, Sheppard should contend for the award if he gets the necessary playing time.
Zach Edey (+650) also surged up the board after impressing in NBA Summer League. The 7-foot-4, 300-pound center recorded 14 points with 15 rebounds and four blocks in his first game against the Jazz. Since the Memphis Grizzlies are in dire need of his rebounding and interior play, the No. 9 overall draft pick will be on the court a lot.
Ja Morant and Zach Edey pick and rolls will feed families this season 😵💫🔥 pic.twitter.com/wGtAaNdGpx
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) August 21, 2024
What about the No. 1 overall pick?
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama cruised to the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. However, things won’t be so easy for fellow French star Zaccharie Risacher (+850). While the smooth-moving 6-foot-9 wing has a bright future in the league, he’s unlikely to hit the floor running.
When asked who would claim Rookie of the Year, only one of 20 NBA executives cast their ballot for the Atlanta Hawk’s No. 1 overall pick.
Other ROY contenders
Alexandre Sarr (+900), the Wizards’ No. 2 overall pick, had an ugly 0-for-15 summer league performance. While the 7-foot-1 Frenchman is strong on the defensive end, he’s likely years away from contributing offensively.
Stephon Castle (+900) registered 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal in one summer league game before bowing out with a wrist injury. The former UConn point guard is an excellent passer and impressive defensively and should learn from veteran Chris Paul. However, his iffy shooting touch will make it difficult to rack up points.
Stephon Castle made this look so much easier than it actually is. pic.twitter.com/dClDKcAwaZ
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) July 20, 2024
Best Longshot
Kel’el Ware (+2500) was described as “the best rookie big man in Vegas” by veteran NBA writer John Hollinger. Ware helped lead the Miami Heat to the summer league title, averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in six games.
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