Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain is the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) favourite, according to the best sports betting sites.
Right behind him is Laker’s Dalton Knecht, who has been sensational recently, pushing him to second in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds. Completing the top three is guard Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs, who has also been impressive this season.
Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, was the early season second-favourite for the NBA Rookie of the Year. However, he has now dropped to fourth in the current betting odds, with Alexandre Sarr of the Washington Wizards rounding out the top five.
Early season favourite and Memphis Trail Blazers big man Zach Edey is also one to watch, as is fellow centre Carlton Carrington of the Wizards.
While we’re only in the early stages of the season, and NBA Awards aren’t decided in November, these young talents are already making their case.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the current favourites for the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year.
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2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
Odds courtesy of Bet9ja, correct at the time of writing and subject to change:
- Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers) @ 1.66
- Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers) @ 4.50
- Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs) @ 9.25
- Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks) @ 12.00
- Alexandre Sarr (Washington Wizards) @ 23.00
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Predict 6 Scores Win ₦10.000.000Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers) @ 1.66
Jared McCain wasn’t even in the top five when betting opened for the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year, but the Philadelphia 76ers guard has quickly emerged as the clear favourite to be named Rookie of the Year.
At 1.66 odds, McCain, who was drafted 16th overall by the Sixers in the 2024 NBA Draft, is now miles ahead of the competition – and his stats more than justify the hype.
Initially, the Sixers planned to bring McCain along slowly, easing him into the rotation off the bench, which made sense given the team is full of established stars. However, an injury to Tyrese Maxey threw McCain into the starting lineup, and the rookie hasn’t just risen to the occasion — he’s thrived.
Since stepping into the starting role, McCain has averaged 25.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while posting an impressive 63.3% true shooting percentage. Following his career-high 34 points and 10 assists in a 114–106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 13, McCain has maintained an average of 23.7 points in his last seven games. He currently ranks second on the team with 16.5 points per game in 17 games, only behind Maxey’s 25.7 points.
What makes these numbers even more impressive is that McCain is outperforming veteran teammates like All-Star forward Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. Few expected such an impact from the rookie this early in his career, but his performances have made him impossible to ignore.
The big question now is how Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will manage McCain’s role once the team is fully healthy. For the moment, though, it’s clear that McCain is on a trajectory that could see him crowned as the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year: Jared McCain @ 1.66 OddsDalton Knecht (LA Lakers) @ 4.50
Dalton Knecht has shot up the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year odds, climbing from fifth-favourite at 8.00 to second at 4.50.
His rise isn’t just about being a Laker, though playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis guarantees attention. Knecht has earned the spotlight with stellar performances that belie his 17th overall draft position.
Despite starting only one of the Lakers’ first eight games, he’s averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, shooting 44% from three-point range. The Lakers have been desperate for shooters for years. Ironically, a franchise known for poor draft picks recently not only solved this pressing issue with Knecht but also found the perfect complementary player for LeBron and AD.
Knecht’s shooting is the main reason he’s high on this list, particularly after his shooting masterclass in the 124–118 victory against the Utah Jazz on November 19. He scored a career-high 37 points, including nine three-pointers, tying the record for the most three-pointers made in a single game by a rookie in NBA history.
If he keeps this up, it’s easy to see Knecht hoisting the Rookie of the Year title at the end of the regular season.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year: Dalton Knecht @ 4.50Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs) @ 9.25
Stephon Castle has made notable strides in the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year race, with his odds shortening from 16.00 to 9.25. The Spurs guard is currently third in the betting and offers good value if you’re looking for an under-the-radar pick with real potential to claim the award.
While back-to-back ROYs for San Antonio would be extraordinary -following Victor Wembanyama’s 2024 win – Castle, the fourth overall pick, has shown promise.
His passing game still needs refinement, but learning from veteran All-Star Chris Paul, one of the greatest passers in NBA history puts him in good hands. Though Paul’s presence limits Castle’s minutes for now, the 39-year-old’s age means Castle’s role will likely grow as the season progresses.
Currently averaging 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season and shooting 37.5 per cent from three over his last nine games, Castle is quietly building a strong case. If he can lead the Spurs to a playoff berth, expect his name to feature prominently in Rookie of the Year conversations.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle @ 9.25Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks) @ 12.00
Zaccharie Risacher’s odds of winning the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year have slipped from second at 5.00 in the early season betting to fourth at 12.00. But let’s be clear – this isn’t a knock on the Atlanta Hawks’ first overall draft pick. Instead, it’s more about other rookies making a bigger splash right now.
Some of the hype around Risacher stems from being the second French player in as many years to go number one overall, drawing inevitable comparisons to Victor Wembanyama. It’s a tough act to follow, but the season is long, and Risacher still has plenty of opportunities to remind everyone why he was the top pick in 2024.
He’s already shown flashes of brilliance, like scoring 33 points, including six three-pointers, and seven rebounds against the Knicks, and dropping 17 points in just 17 minutes to help the Hawks to a 135-124 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 28 – only Cleveland’s second loss of the season. Performances like that prove he’s not one to fade into the background.
Currently, Risacher is averaging 11.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game – a solid two-way contribution. If he can be a key player in driving the Hawks to a playoff spot, his Rookie of the Year campaign will only gain momentum. Sharing the floor with Trae Young, the face of the franchise, should also ease some of the pressure, giving Risacher room to thrive and grow into his potential.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year: Zaccharie Risacher @ 12.00Alexandre Sarr (Washington Wizards) @ 23.00
Washington Wizards big man Alexandre Sarr has maintained a steady presence in the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year betting. Although he’s only slipped one spot to fifth, his 23.00 odds are a significant drift from the 7.00 odds he held earlier in the season.
The second overall pick has been a rare bright spot in what’s been a woeful Wizards campaign. With a dismal 2-15 record, they’re the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
Yet, Sarr has consistently impressed, particularly on the defensive end. His team-leading 1.9 blocks per game highlight his ability to disrupt opposition scorers, while his knack for creating defensive opportunities is clear in his rebounding stats – 4.4 defensive rebounds per game (third on the team) and a team-best 1.9 offensive rebounds per game. Add to that his solid 10.8 points per game, and it’s easy to see why he remains in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
It’s hard not to feel that Sarr’s immense talent and two-way impact are being squandered on such a struggling team. However, this could work to his advantage. With every standout performance magnified against the backdrop of the Wizards’ struggles, his contributions shine even brighter, boosting his case for the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year crown.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year: Alexandre Sarr @ 23.00