Sarr Opens as Favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year
2024 NBA ROY Odds Start With Sarr (+350), Risacher (+450)
Victor Wembanyama debuted last summer as the overwhelming favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, and he didn’t disappoint.
The 7-foot-4 French standout went wire-to-wire, grabbing top honors with ease after a dominant first season with the San Antonio Spurs.
This year, however, there’s a bit more intrigue. Without a can’t-miss prospect atop draft boards, the race for the NBA’s top rookie is wide open.
Let’s take a closer look at the top contenders on the 2024 NBA ROY odds board.
THE FAVORITE
Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards (+350)
Sportsbooks have installed Sarr as the Rookie of the Year favorite. Sarr, who was drafted second overall by the Washington Wizards, opened at +350 and fell momentarily to +400.
- The 19-year-old French native played two seasons in the Overtime Elite League before joining the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s NBL Next Stars program. He averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season.
Sarr, a 7-foot center, was in conversation to go No. 1 but declined a pre-draft workout with Atlanta.
With the first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft the Atlanta Hawks select: Alex Sarr! pic.twitter.com/GcODEuej8E
— General Murray (@Generalmurray5) June 21, 2024
TOP CONTENDERS
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks (+450)
The 19-year-old Risacher, who hails from the same league in France as 2023 first overall pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, became the fourth international NBA player drafted No. 1 in the modern era.
At 6-8, Risacher has an impressive blend of size and athleticism. He’s coming off a strong showing for JL Bourg of France’s LNB Elite League, where he averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in the postseason.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (+700)
Castle, who helped lead UConn to an NCAA title repeat, is the program’s first one-and-done lottery pick since Andre Drummond in 2012.
Drafted fourth overall, he joins Wembanyama — one of the early frontrunners on the NBA MVP odds board — in San Antonio.
- The 6-6 guard averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists en route to Big East Freshman of the Year honors. He also made the Final Four All-Tournament team.
NEXT IN LINE
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (+1100)
Edey, the first to repeat as Naismith Player of the Year since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson from 1981-83, was ironically one of the draft’s biggest surprises.
The Grizzlies selected the 7-4 center ninth overall, much to the delight of bettors who gambled on him being a Top-10 pick at +500 NBA odds.
Edey was a force at Purdue, averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in his final season. He led the Boilermakers to an appearance in the national championship game.
While the modern day-NBA has begun to phase out players with Edey’s skill set, he’s seen as a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year.
- Within the last two days, his 2024 NBA ROY odds have soared from +2500 to +1100.
THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 2024 NBA DRAFT CLASS :
– Zach Edey (7’4 – Purdue)
– Jaylen Wells (6’8 – Washington State)
– Cam Spencer (6’4 – UConn)3 DAWGS ARE HEADED TO THE M…🔥 pic.twitter.com/n8qEZjlJ5N
— Grizz Lead (@Grizz_Lead) June 27, 2024
Tidjane Salaun, Charlotte Hornets (+1200)
The 18-year-old Salaun was the youngest player in the NBA draft, but he could make a quick impact for Charlotte. With terrific build and strong shooting, the 6-8 Salaun has immense potential.
He comes from the French LNB Pro A League, where he averaged 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds for Cholet Basket.
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (+1200)
Regarded as arguably the draft’s best shooter, Sheppard was snagged third overall by Houston.
- The latest in a long line of one-and-done prospects at Kentucky, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points and shot 52.1% from 3 in his lone collegiate season.
He’ll fit nicely in the backcourt alongside Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green.
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers (+1200)
The 7-2 Clingan generated some buzz at No. 1 but wound up going seventh overall to Portland. A superb rim protector, he was seen as one of the surest bets in the draft.
After coming off the bench as a freshman at UConn, Clingan took on an expanded role last season and didn’t disappoint. He averaged 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while shooting 63.9% from the floor.
His performance in the Elite Eight against Illinois (22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks) was arguably the NCAA Tournament’s best.
With a wingspan of nearly 8 feet, Clingan figures to be a difference-maker in the paint.
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)
The SEC Player of the Year fell into the Lakers’ laps with at 17th overall. One of the draft’s best value picks, Knecht averaged 21.7 points and shot 45.8% from the field for Tennessee.
New coach J.J. Reddick — who knows a thing or two about shooting — will find the best ways to use him.
Cody Williams, Utah Jazz (+1400)
The 19-year-old Williams is still a bit raw, but the Jazz clearly see a big, versatile wing who can shoot. Older brother Jalen is becoming a fixture in Oklahoma City, and Utah can only hope Cody makes a similar impact.
In his lone season at Colorado, he averaged 11.9 points and shot 55.2% overall.
Ronald Holland II, Detroit Pistons (+1500)
Holland is an explosive wing who should contribute sooner than later for the NBA’s worst team. His shot is still a bit inconsistent, but Holland will get plenty of opportunities in Detroit.
He was taken No. 5 after an up-and-down season with the G League Ignite.
LONGSHOTS
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls (+2000)
There was some thought Buzelis might go earlier. The G League Ignite standout has strong playmaking abilities off the dribble at 6-9.
More than a few NBA teams may regret passing on him.
The Chicago Bulls drafted former @PHCircuit standout Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick in the NBA Draft! @FPbasketball pic.twitter.com/TfVONeMQE3
— Prep Hoops 🏀 (@PrepHoops) June 28, 2024
Rob Dillingham, Minnesota Timberwolves (+2000)
Minnesota went the extra mile for Dillingham, swapping picks with San Antonio to select him ninth overall.
The former Kentucky star is a dynamic offensive player, but questions about his size (6-1) and defensive profile scared some teams.
Because of that, his 2024 NBA ROY odds are just 20/1.
For NBA picks, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine
