2024-025 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds – A Tight Race

Zach Edey had a fantastic career at Purdue. He won National College Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and was an All-American in both seasons. The Canadian averaged 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks over his last two seasons at Purdue.

However, Edey couldn’t lead the Boilermakers to a national title, as they lost to Connecticut in last season’s final.

There is no doubt that Edey can be productive offfensively, as he led the nation in scoring last season. However, there was a distinct size and talent advantage Edey had, that he won’t have in the NBA. His defense is also worrying, as the opposition is going to bring him out on pick-and-rolls until he proves he can stop it. However, Edey moves his feet better than a player his size should.

But on the other end, Edey will have a great pick-and-roll partner in Ja Morant, one of the most explosive players in the NBA. The Grizzlies will also ask the rookie to improve his three-point shooting. He attempted just two in four years of college, and both were last season (Edey made one of them).

If this massive man can stretch the floor, that would be a considerable boost to his Rookie of the Year NBA odds this season!

Reed Sheppard is a Kentucky native that wound up playing for the Wildcats, where his father, Jeff, and mother, Stacey, played (Jeff was also the Most Outstanding Player of the 1998 NCAA Tournament). He played just one season at Kentucky, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Sheppard also started just five games at Kentucky, as former coach John Calipari used him off the bench.

But Sheppard was named both the SEC and national freshman of the year. He was also the best rookie at NBA Summer League, where Sheppard didn’t shoot well, but he was a defensive menace with 11 steals in four games.

His shot should come, as Sheppard shot 53.6% from the field, including 52.1% from long distance, and 83.1% from the free-throw line.

Sheppard will start the season on the bench, where Houston should look to give him the green light to let it fly. He’ll be a popular pick on NBA betting apps!

Stephon Castle gets the nod over the top two picks in the draft, Sarr and Risacher, simply because I feel he is in a better spot. Risacher is in Atlanta with Trae Young, who likes to shoot and have the ball in his hands, leaving little room for his teammates to shine much.

Sarr is just on a bad Washington team. Meanwhile, Castle is going to San Antonio, where he will be developed by Gregg Popovich, arguably the best coach in NBA history and a staple in NBA Coach of the Year odds.

Castle will also get to play with the league’s next great superstar in Victor Wembanyama. The former UConn Husky wants to be a point guard in the NBA, and who better to learn from Chris Paul, who came to San Antonio in the summer?

Castle is an excellent defender with size and athleticism, and Popovich will put all of his skills to use. He would be an exceptional NBA betting value for these NBA ROY odds this season!

Sheppard’s Kentucky teammate, Rob Dillingham, also came off the bench for the Wildcats. The 19-year-old was second on the team with 15.2 points, shooting 47.5% from the field, and 44.4% from three-point land.

There are some concerns about his size (6’1”, 165 pounds), but Dillingham is still 19 and the Timberwolves will look to bulk him up. Dillingham will also start the season on the bench, as the Wolves have Mike Conley ahead of him at point guard.

But the former Wildcat can fill up the basket in a short amount of time (his numbers came in just 23.3 minutes), and Minnesota has enough defenders to cover for him. Dillingham’s offensive ability is enough to consider his odds for Rookie of the Year in the NBA.

Kel’el Ware flew under the radar for an Indiana team that missed the NCAA Tournament, but he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks for the Hoosiers after transferring from Oregon. But Ware was fantastic as the Heat won the NBA Summer League title, putting up 21 points and 10 boards in the championship game.

Ware also shot 42.5% from three at Indiana, albeit on 1.3 attempts per game. But if he shoots even close to that, Ware slots in beside Bam Adebayo, giving the Heat a massive front line. Good luck trying to score on the Heat around the rim with those two in the lineup.

Furthermore, you have “Heat Culture”, which is known around the league for developing players. Ware would be a superb value pick in these ROY odds for the NBA at Bovada.