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Forward Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs guards Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Chet Holmgren #7 as we look at the closing NBA Rookie of the Year odds for the 2023-24 NBA season.
Forward Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs guards Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Chet Holmgren #7 during a game at Frost Bank Center on February 29, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo by Brien Aho/Getty Images via AFP.

Victor Wembanyama was the clear favorite by the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year odds before the NBA odds were pulled for this award, which he eventually won unanimously.

When the San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick, most assumed he'd be a shoo-in to win NBA Rookie of the Year. It took some time to get there, but the prophecy was fulfilled, after all.

Our best sports betting sites pulled the odds on NBA Rookie of the Year after Wembanyama took an overwhelming lead in the race in March, well before the end of the NBA regular season. He sealed the deal with a stellar final month of the season, becoming the first unanimous winner of this award in eight years:

Wembanyama finished ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, who was once the front-runner in this market after missing his true rookie season due to injury in 2022-23. He was still no match for "Wemby," who also finished among the finalists for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds.

Here's a look at the closing 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year odds from our best NBA betting sites.

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2024

(Odds as of March 15, market was pulled before the end of the regular season)

NameDraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Victor Wembanyama-5000 OFF-10000 OFF-5000
Chet Holmgren+2000 OFF+2500 OFF+1500 
Brandon Miller+50000OFF+50000 OFF+50000

2024 NBA Rookie of the Year winner

Victor Wembanyama (-5000 via bet365)

Wembanyama was already running away with this award in the days before the All-Star break, and he closed the door on Holmgren (or anyone else) with a ridiculous finish to the NBA regular season.

The Spurs superstar made history before the break with a triple-double through 10 blocks, and he elevated his game even further since then - averaging 23.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals over his final 22 starts. Those numbers are simply unheard of from any player, let alone a rookie.

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Wembanyama was so dominant in the second half of the season that his odds were as short as -10000 in mid-March, which implied a 99.01% probability he would win the award. Holmgren, who was once favored over the Frenchman across our best sports betting apps, had been Wemby's only serious competition.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds over time

Our best sportsbooks drastically shortened Wembanyama as the betting favorite after the head-to-head showdown against Holmgren on Feb. 29. His longest odds were slashed from -1400 to -5000 before being taken down entirely.

The Spurs rookie was priced as long as +140 in mid-January, then moved to the -150 range in early February before his odds dramatically shortened entering the All-Star break. Prior to the odds being pulled, Wembanyama was as short as -10000.

In the end, Wembanyama put together one of the most impressive NBA rookie seasons in league history and closed out the season at an All-Star level. It was an inevitability that he would win this award once he rounded into form.

NBA Rookie of the Year opening odds

Odds as of Oct. 24, 2023

PlayerOdds
Victor Wembanyama-145
Chet Holmgren+350
Scoot Henderson+450
Brandon Miller+3000
Amen Thompson+4000
Cam Whitmore+5000
Keyonte George+6000
Ausar Thompson+8000
Bilal Coulibaly+8000

Past NBA Rookie of the Year winners

YearNameTeamPreseason odds
2023-24Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs-145
2022-23Paolo BancheroOrlando Magic+200
2021-22Scottie BarnesToronto Raptors+1100
2020-21LaMelo BallCharlotte Hornets+400
2019-20Ja MorantMemphis Grizzlies+250
2018-19Luka DoncicDallas Mavericks+250
2017-18Ben SimmonsPhiladelphia 76ers+225

NBA Rookie of the Year FAQs

Who was the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite?

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama closed as the clear betting favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year with odds as short as -10000. Those odds represented an implied 99.01% win probability before they were taken down entirely in March.

Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award this year?

Victor Wembanyama won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2023-24 after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks in his first season in the league.

Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award last year?

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (+200) was named the NBA's Rookie of the Year after averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

When will the NBA Rookie of the Year be named?

With the 2023-24 award announced on Monday, May 6, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.

NBA betting odds pages

Here are our best NBA betting sites:

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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

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