Emerging Talents Likely to Secure Rookie of the Year Award in 2025: Future Front-Runners
*NBA Rookie of the Year: Early Betting Insights*
By Alex Windsor and Brian Webb, November 27, 2024
With the 2024 NBA Draft in the books and preseason games looming in October, anticipation is mounting around which rookie will take home the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award. Top US basketball betting sites are already accepting futures bets on this event, offering a slew of options — some underdog picks with incredible value, while others boast inflated prices due to their association with big-name franchises.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most intriguing rookie candidates and consider their chances of winning the ROTY award.
Bronny James - 55th Pick, LA Lakers
The NBA Draft drew plenty of attention for LeBron James' son, Bronny James, who was the last player selected in the 2024 draft but is now joining his father on the LA Lakers. Bronny was a favorite among bettors to be the first overall pick, with a whopping 30% of betting tickets at top sportsbooks. Despite landing as the very last pick, Bronny is still attracting plenty of attention for his ROTY futures bets. Despite long odds of +25,000, bettors stand to win $251 for each dollar wagered if he ultimately takes home the award.
While it's a tantalizing prospect, experts believe that Bronny may struggle to see significant playing time in the current Lakers roster, making a ROTY win seem far-fetched.
Verdict: A fun, longshot bet, but unlikely to pay off
Zaccharie Risacher - 1st Overall Pick, Atlanta Hawks
At 6'9′′ and with impressive accolades from his time at ASVEL and JL Bourg (including the LNB Elite Best Young Player and EuroCup Rising Star awards), Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher is expected to bring a wealth of talent to the Atlanta Hawks. The first pick in the 2024 draft, Risacher has odds of +650 to win the ROTY award, putting him among the top contenders.
Fans and bettors alike will be eager to see how Risacher fares in the NBA and whether he can live up to the hype surrounding his selection as the top overall pick.
Verdict: A strong contender with attractive odds
Alexandre Sarr - 2nd Overall Pick, Washington Wizards
With experience playing in the Australian NBL and a brilliant season in 2024, Alexandre Sarr was picked by the Washington Wizards as the second overall pick. Backed by strong shooting percentages and a .516% FG average, Sarr is one of three French players chosen in the first 10 picks. His odds of +500 make him an appealing option for those looking to place their ROTY bets.
Despite the Wizards' underwhelming 2023-24 season, Sarr is poised to provide a much-needed boost and could secure the ROTY award if he can adapt to American basketball effectively.
Verdict: A smart choice for those seeking a balanced ROTY pick
Reed Sheppard - 3rd Overall Pick, Houston Rockets
Having won numerous Freshman of the Year awards in his first college basketball season, Reed Sheppard is a hot commodity in the NBA. With excellent shooting percentages, Sheppard was a standout player for Kentucky and is now joining the Houston Rockets as the third overall pick. However, with FredVan Vleet and Jalen Green already established as the team's main guards, it remains to be seen how Sheppard will fit into the roster and whether he can secure enough playing time to impress voters.
Sheppard's odds of +1000 make him an attractive underdog pick worth considering for those with a riskier approach to their ROTY bets.
Verdict: A riskier, but potentially lucrative, option
And so, the race for the Rookie of the Year award is on! With a competitive slate of players and attractive pricing available, there's never been a better time to place your futures bets and get in on the action.
Remember to consider factors such as player performance and statistics, health and availability, team performance and visibility, the competitive landscape, historical voting patterns, recent trends, market and betting trends, preseason and early season performance, and don't forget to have fun!
Forecasting the ROTY winner is no easy task, but with careful analysis and a dash of excitement, you could be in for a profitable season.
Alex Windsor (10-year veteran in the iGaming industry and Managing Editor at our website): As an accomplished sports betting and betting tools expert with a passion for football and soccer, I focus on assisting readers in making astute decisions across a range of betting strategies. With a keen focus on odds, accas, and other betting strategies, I strive to provide you with a reliable, quality resource for all your betting needs.
Enrichment Data: When considering ROTY bets, evaluate factors such as player performance, health, team success, competition, voting patterns, trends, and market and betting trends. By understanding these elements, you can make educated decisions and maximize your betting potential.
In the context of the article, these are two sentences that contain the requested words:
- With the 2024 NBA Draft complete and preseason games approaching, basketball fans can place bets on the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award using betting strategies for various players, such as Bronny James, who was selected as the 55th pick by the LA Lakers and has odds of +25,000.
- Alexandre Sarr, the second overall pick by the Washington Wizards, is a Frenchman with strong shooting percentages and impressive stats, presenting a smart choice for those seeking a balanced ROTY pick with odds of +500.
