The NBA Rookie of the Year race is wide open.
But for the time being, a preseason long shot has established himself as the betting favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain has leaped to +350 to win the award at FanDuel Sportsbook, the best odds on the board.
McCain, who was drafted No. 16 overall by the Sixers in the 2024 NBA Draft, is receiving big minutes in Nick Nurse’s injury-riddled rotation, and taking full advantage of them.
The Duke product is averaging 13.5 points on 45.7 percent shooting and 38.5 percent from 3 in under 19 minutes per game.
Since taking on a bigger role over the past four games, McCain has averaged 25.5 points per game.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jared McCain | +300 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | +450 |
| Zach Edey | +500 |
| Carlton Carrington | +600 |
| Alexandre Sarr | 10/1 |
| Stephon Castle | 18/1 |
| Dalton Knecht | 18/1 |
| Jaylen Wells | 18/1 |
| Donovan Clingan | 25/1 |
He had his best game of the young season on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers, with Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey sidelined, scoring 34 points and dishing out 10 assists during a 114-106 loss.
It’s been a meteoric rise for McCain, who was sitting at +3500 to win the award at DraftKings Sportsbook in the days leading up to opening night.
McCain leapfrogs Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, who has also impressed during the NBA’s early going.
Betting on the NBA?
Risacher remains one of the favorites at +450.
Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who was the preseason favorite at most major sportsbooks, has the third-best odds at +500.
Like McCain, the Wizards’ Carlton “Bub” Carrington has also jumped up odds boards with stellar play, sitting just behind Edey at +600.
