2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Bet on Victor or Everyone Else?

Image ©David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

✍️ Written by :

Ty Bronicel

🗓 Updated :

Aug 23rd 2023

The San Antonio Spurs have lucked out on another generational big-man talent by landing the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

First, in 1987, they landed David Robinson.

A decade later, Tim Duncan.

Two Hall of Famers.

Now, 26 years later, the Spurs – the greatest small-city success story in NBA history (five titles from 1999 to 2014) – have been gifted once again.

San Antonio won Tuesday night’s draft lottery and absolutely will take the most hyped, next “generational talent” in 7-foot-4 do-it-all Frenchman Victor Wembanyama with the first pick on draft night, which is at the Barclays Center in New York on June 22 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN).

OK, so that’s a given. There’s no reason to even think or bet that’s not going to happen because it will.

As I wrote a couple of days ago here:

Wembanyama is -20000 to first overall – per FanDuel, one of our favorite gambling sites out there along with BetMGM, DraftKings, and many more.

To put that figure into a mind-boggling prop-betting perspective, that means you’d have to bet $100 to win … fifty cents. That’s right. And a grand to win five bucks.

Mathematically, it’s 99.50% percent he’s going No. 1.

It’s time to look at whether Wemby is a lock to win Rookie of the Year.

If he stays healthy, the Ralph Sampson-esque Wembanyama will land the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

My concern, just as it was with Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren last year, is:

Can he stay healthy?

Skinny legs and all, this kid’s a stud, no doubt, but beanpoles can have a tough time in the NBA. Basketball is tough on the lower body.

I’d like him to put on a little weight and muscle. C’mon, man, you live in France. Get on that butter and bread, bro.

I gently tease. I also hope he excels because he seems like a great guy.

Anyhow, DraftKings is offering these odds on 2024 ROY:

Victor Wembanyama -225

Scoot Henderson +300

Brandon Miller +900

Amen Thompson +1300

Cam Whitmore +2000

The NBA Draft has been held since 1947. Here’s a great history lesson of it. Paolo Banchero was drafted first overall last year by the Orlando Magic and he was awesome. He was the favorite to win ROY from the day he was drafted and did not disappoint, almost unanimously winning the award.

But here’s the thing: Of all the players drafted first overall, only 22 have been named ROY.

The 19-year-old Wembanyama, with nearly an 8-foot wingspan who can shoot like a point guard, is clearly a different kind of unicorn.

But there’s a ton of talent in this draft.

Scoot Henderson, who has been playing in the G League, is an outstanding point guard who would be going No. 1 if it weren’t for Wembanyama.

And, per Yahoo Sports, he’s been working out with none other than Steph Curry to hone his skills. Good lord, that’s a great mentor.

There’s also former Alabama wingman Brandon Miller who is skilled as all get-out and he’s going to be a star in the NBA for whichever team drafts him, likely Charlotte at No. 2, despite the controversy surrounding him which seems to be diminishing.

I think all three of these dudes are gonna have damn good years and perhaps there’s a sleeper out there.

This is why, in closing, I’m getting to this, courtesy of FanDuel: