2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds, Predictions, & Best Picks

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Sam Cox @samrcox_ Feb 10, 2025, 10:29 AM
  • Stephon Castle (+190) is the new favourite for NBA Rookie of the Year.
  • Alexandre Sarr has drifted to +1500.
  • Kel’el Ware is priced at +220.

Stephon Castle is the favourite to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year at +190.

Kel’el Ware has the second-shortest price in the latest basketball betting odds. Jaylen Wells, Zaccharie Risacher, and Zach Edey trail Ware. 

Alexandre Sarr has dropped out of the top five.

Prediction: Who Will Win 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year?

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle is the current NBA betting favourite to win 2024-25 Rookie of the Year at +190, followed by:

  • Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat (+220)
  • Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies (+450)
  • Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks (+800)
  • Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (+1100)

I predict Zach Edey will win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 due to his run of double-doubles and his role on a contending Memphis Grizzlies team.

2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

PlayerTeamCurrent OddsOpening Odds
Stephon CastleSan Antonio Spurs+190+700
Kel'el WareMiami Heat+220+5000
Jaylen WellsMemphis Grizzlies+450+2000
Zaccharie RisacherAtlanta Hawks+800+600
Zach EdeyMemphis Grizzlies+1100+1200
Alexandre SarrWashington Wizards+1500+425
Isaiah CollierUtah Jazz+2200+8000
Matas BuzelisChicago Bulls+3000+1200
Dalton KnechtLos Angeles Lakers+6600+900

2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Predictions & Best Picks

Stephon Castle Rookie of the Year Odds +190

Stephon Castle was priced at +350 a week ago and has shortened to +190 following a string of impressive performances. Castle dropped 33 against the Charlotte Hornets only four days after scoring 21 in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Moving back to the bench after the acquisition of De’Aaron Fox hasn’t had too big an impact on Castle’s usage. He’s averaged just shy of 27 minutes per game and 12 field-goal attempts coming off the bench in the last three games after averaging 28.8 minutes and 13.9 shots in his last 11 games as a starter.

Kel’el Ware Rookie of the Year Odds +220

Kel’el Ware has relinquished favourites status after averaging under eight points over his last five games. With the Miami Heat fighting for a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference, I expect Ware’s minutes to decrease if he doesn’t start making shots.

The arrival of Andrew Wiggins in the Jimmy Butler trade gives Erik Spoelstra more flexibility to run small lineups.

Jaylen Wells Rookie of the Year Odds +450

Just 4.6% of the handle is on Jaylen Wells for Rookie of the Year. The Memphis Grizzlies wing was my best online sportsbook for the award last month, and I remain interested in him at this price. 

However, a recent slump has made it harder to see Wells beating Castle or Ware to this award. Wells hasn’t scored more than seven points in any of his last four games. He averages 7.1 points over his last eight while shooting 25.9% from 3.

Zaccharie Risacher Rookie of the Year Odds +800

Zaccharie Risacher is one of three players – along with Zach Edey and Dalton Knecht – with an 8% or higher share of tickets and the handle. The Atlanta Hawks wing has been playing at a high level of late, averaging 16.8 points over his last six games.

Risacher has already improved drastically as a shooter, hitting just under 50% of his 3s over that period while taking 4.5 per game. Atlanta’s 7-13 slide since the turn of the year could damage Risacher’s Rookie of the Year candidacy, though, so I am steering clear at this price.

Zach Edey Rookie of the Year Odds +1100

Zach Edey has the largest handle share for this award at 24.4%. It’s been a good week for Edey’s ROY chances after a run of three straight double-doubles. 

While certain matchups see Edey play fewer minutes, his role has been pretty consistent this season. His size is an asset to the Grizzlies, and he continues to put up numbers. He averages 11.8 points and 9.1 rebounds over the last eight games. 

List of NBA Rookie of the Year Winners

YearNamePositionTeam
2023-24Victor WembanyamaCentreSan Antonio Spurs
2022-23Paolo BancheroForwardOrlando Magic
2021-22Scottie BarnesForwardToronto Raptors
2020-21LaMelo BallPoint GuardCharlotte Hornets
2019-20Ja MorantPoint GuardMemphis Grizzlies
2018-19Luka DoncicPoint GuardDallas Mavericks
2017-18Ben SimmonsPoint Guard/ForwardPhiladelphia 76ers
2016-17Malcolm BrogdonGuardMilwaukee Bucks
2015-16Karl-Anthony TownsCenterMinnesota Timberwolves
2014-15Andrew WigginsForwardMinnesota Timberwolves
2013-14Michael Carter-WilliamsGuardPhiladelphia 76ers
2012-13Damian LillardPoint GuardPortland Trail Blazers
2011-12Kyrie IrvingGuardCleveland Cavaliers
2010-11Blake GriffinForwardLos Angeles Clippers
2009-10Tyreke EvansGuard/ForwardSacramento Kings
2008-09Derrick RosePoint GuardChicago Bulls
2007-08Kevin DurantForwardOklahoma City Thunder
2006-07Brandon RoyGuardPortland Trail Blazers
2005-06Chris PaulPoint GuardNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
2004-05Emeka OkaforCentre/ForwardCharlotte Bobcats
2003-04LeBron JamesForwardCleveland Cavaliers
2002-03Amar'e StoudemireForward/CentrePhoenix Suns
2001-02Pau GasolForward/CentreMemphis Grizzlies
2000-01Mike MillerForward/GuardOrlando Magic
1999-2000Steve FrancisGuardHouston Rockets
1999-2000Elton BrandForwardChicago Bulls
1998-99Vince CarterGuard/ForwardToronto Raptors
1997-98Tim DucanForward/CentreSan Antonio Spurs
1996-97Allen IversonGuardPhiladelphia 76ers
1995-96Damon StoudamireGuardToronto Raptors
1994-95Jason KiddPoint GuardDallas Mavericks
1994-95Grant HillForward/GuardDetroit Pistons
1993-94Chris WebberForwardGolden State Warriors
1992-93Shaquille O'NealCentreOrlando Magic
1991-92Larry JohnsonForwardCharlotte Hornets
1990-91Derrick ColemanForwardNew Jersey Nets
1989-90David RobinsonCentreSan Antonio Spurs
1988-89Mitch RichmondGuardGolden State Warriors
1987-88Mark JacksonPoint GuardNew York Knicks
1986-87Chuck PersonForwardIndiana Pacers
1985-86Patrick EwingCentreNew York Knicks
1984-85Michael JordanGuardChicago Bulls
1983-84Ralph SampsonCentreHouston Rockets
1982-83Terry CummingsForwardSan Diego Clippers
1981-82Buck WilliamsForward/CentreNew Jersey Nets
1980-81Darrell GriffithGuardUtah Jazz
1979-80Larry BirdForwardBoston Celtics
1978-79Phil FordGuardKansas City Kings
1977-78Walter DavisGuard/ForwardPhoenix Suns
1976-77Adrian DantleyForward/GuardBuffalo Braves
1975-76Alvan AdamsCentre/ForwardPhoenix Suns
1974-75Jamaal WilkesForward/GuardGolden State Warriors
1973-74Ernie DiGregorioGuardBuffalo Braves
1972-73Bob McAdooCentre/ForwardBuffalo Braves
1971-72Sidney WicksForwardPortland Trail Blazers
1970-71Dave CowensCenterBoston Celtics
1970-71Geoff PetrieGuardPortland Trail Blazers
1969-70Lew AlcindorCenterMilwaukee Bucks
1968-69Wes UnseldCenterBaltimore Bullets
1967-68Earl MonroeGuardBaltimore Bullets
1966-67Dave BingGuardDetroit Pistons
1965-66Rick BarryForwardSan Francisco Warriors
1964-65Willis ReedCentre/ForwardNew York Knicks
1963-64Jerry LucasForwardCincinnati Royals
1962-63Terry DischingerForwardChicago Zephyrs
1961-62Walt BellamyCentreChicago Packers
1960-61Oscar RobertsonPoint GuardCincinnati Royals
1959-60Wilt ChamberlainCentrePhiladelphia Warriors
1958-59Elgin BaylorForwardMinneapolis Lakers
1957-58Woody SauldsberryForward/CentrePhiladelphia Warriors
1956-57Tom HeinsohnForwardBoston Celtics
1955-56Maurice StokesForward/CentreRochester Royals
1954-55Bob PettitForward/CentreMilwaukee Hawks
1953-54Ray FelixCentreBaltimore Bullets
1952-53Don MeinekeForwardFort Wayne Pistons
About the Author

Sam Cox

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Sam Cox is a freelance content writer for BetMGM. He can regularly be found on 888Sport and Betting Expert and has previously written for Sports Betting Dime, OddsChecker, and numerous others. Sam also runs Franchise Sports and has over a decade of experience in the gambling industry.

Sam Cox is a freelance content writer for BetMGM. He can regularly be found on 888Sport and Betting Expert and has previously written for Sports Betting Dime, OddsChecker, and numerous others. Sam also runs Franchise Sports and has over a decade of experience in the gambling industry.