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Stephon Castle is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Kel’el Ware is the top contender to win the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year!
Last year’s Rookie of the Year was Victor Wembanyama!
The All-Star break is over, and the second half of the NBA regular season is about to begin! The race for Rookie of the Year is sure to heat up as the regular season comes to a close. At WSN, we’re locked in on the race for Rookie of the Year, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2024-25 NBA season!
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Leading the way in the Rookie of the Year race is San Antonio Spurs rookie and Rising Stars MVP Stephon Castle! Challenging him in the top contender position is Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware. Zaccharie Risacher and Jaylen Wells also challenge for the award as they’ve stepped up for their teams this season. A dark horse for the award is Memphis big man Zach Edey, whose comfort at NBA speed has surprised many.
Let’s check out the bets!
My Pick: Stephon Castle (+140) at FanDuel
Stephon Castle’s consistency and growth through the regular season has earned him a place as one of the top rookies in the NBA this season. Selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge and winning MVP of the competition, Castle is well on his way to finishing on the All-Rookie First Team. The Spurs will push for the postseason when the regular season returns, so count on Castle to play a part in their success.
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| Season | Team | Age | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG/FG% | 3PM/3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | SAS | 20 | 12.9 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 4.6/.420 | 1.1/.289 |
Stephon Castle has been one of the league’s outstanding rookies this season. In the week before the All-Star break, Castle averaged 18.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 threes per game on 56.0% from the field and 44.4% from three. He stood out in the Rising Stars Challenge, winning MVP of the competition and finishing second in the Slam Dunk Contest–expect a thrilling second half of the season for Castle!
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| Season | Team | Age | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG/FG% | 3PM/3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | MIA | 20 | 8.6 | 5.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 3.6/.535 | 0.7/.357 |
Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware stepped into the Rookie of the Year race late, but he’s made an impressive impact since joining the contest. He played in three games the week before the All-Star break, averaging 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 48.3% from the field. He wasn’t selected for the Rising Stars Challenge but closed out the week by putting up 17 points, nine rebounds, and one block in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
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| Season | Team | Age | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG/FG% | 3PM/3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | MEM | 21 | 11.2 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 4.0/.446 | 1.9/.376 |
Jaylen Wells, the 39th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been the surprise of the season, even overtaking teammate Zach Edey in the Rookie of the Year race. In two games before the All-Star break, Wells averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 threes, and 1.0 steals per game on 52.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. The Grizzlies are trying to claim the top seed in the West, and Wells’ impact as a shooter and defender will be vital to their chances at success.
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| Season | Team | Age | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG/FG% | 3PM/3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | ATL | 19 | 11.4 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 4.3/.433 | 1.3/.317 |
Zaccharie Risacher had significant expectations going into the regular season as the top pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s flown under the radar for much of the season. He played in one game before the All-Star break, putting up 16 points, two rebounds, and two made threes on 54.5% shooting in a loss to the Knicks. Risacher has an opportunity to compensate for the difference left from the Hunter deal, one that could bolster his chances at winning Rookie of the Year!
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| Season | Team | Age | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG/FG% | 3PM/3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | MEM | 22 | 9.5 | 7.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 3.9/.582 | 0.4/.350 |
Zach Edey has been one of the NBA's most impressive rookies despite questions surrounding his ability to compete at this level. He closed out the week before the All-Star break by averaging 4.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 40.0% from the field. Edey's role has fluctuated for most of the season, so his progression will be a focus as the Grizzlies try to secure a top finish going into the campaign's second half.
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Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs won the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He was the third San Antonio Spurs rookie to win the award after David Robinson in 1990 and Tim Duncan in 1998.
Wembanyama stood out in his rookie season, playing 71 games, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 46.5% from the field and 32.5% from the three-point range. While Wembanyama’s Spurs failed to make the NBA Playoffs, he proved he’d be a solid foundation for the Spurs as well as one of the NBA’s brightest stars for the future. Banchero was the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year through the 2023-24 NBA season.
The San Antonio Spurs center was the seventh unanimously voted NBA Rookie of the Year. He garnered 99.0 first-place votes, collecting 495.0 points through the voting process. Second was Thunder center Chet Holmgren in the award race, collecting 98.0 second-place votes. Third place was won by Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, who collected one second-place vote and 83.0 third-place votes.
The Rookie of the Year Award winner is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NBA regular season and Play-In Tournament. Last year, the winner's team announced the various NBA awards individually or on a live broadcast of Inside the NBA. These happen during unscheduled dates during the NBA Playoffs.
The NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner doesn't receive a prize directly. The Rookie of the Year wins the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy to commemorate their accomplishment.
In terms of cash incentives or bonuses, there are few. While many player contracts have built-in performance incentives that provide bonuses based on statistical achievement, no such agreement exists in rookie contracts.
The Rookie of the Year prize is the ability to write their name into the annals of NBA history. Winning Rookie of the Year increases a player's opportunity for exposure, endorsements, and nationally broadcasted games.
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Christian Jope
NBA Betting Analyst
| Email: | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Education: | Bachelor of Arts (Applied Economics) |
| Favourite Sportsbook: | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Favourite Casino: | BetMGM Casino |
| Experience: | 6 years |
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