Who has better odds of winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award? Wembanyama or Holmgren?

On Thursday night, several NBA stars played. However, the basketball public was mostly interested in a game that took place at the “Frost Bank Center” in San Antonio. This game featured two young centers. Even though the home team was the worst team in the Western Conference, all eyes were on this matchup. A European center, Wembanyama, ultimately led his underdog team to victory. He also won the direct duel against Chat Holmgren, one of his biggest contenders for the prestigious NBA rookie award.

Frenchman Victor Vembanyama was the best player of the young San Antonio Spurs in a 132:118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. We had the opportunity to see once again two “fives” in action who are predicted to dominate the league for a long and fruitful period in the next decade - Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. On several occasions, we could see direct clashes between the two players, and it seems that the former Metropolitan 92 player ended this duel with an impressive block on Holmgren less than two minutes before the end of the game. In the end, Wembanyama, the best blocker in the league, finished the game with 28 points (9/17 from the field, 5/7 penalties), 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks, also getting his first team victory against OKC this season, after two lost games. Devin Vasel was also excellent for the Spurs, with 28 points and 9 assists.

On the other side, Holmgren had 23 points (8/12 from the field, 6/6 from the field), 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, and the most effective in Mark Daigneault’s team were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 31 points (12/22 from the field) and Jaylen Williams with 26.

Victor Wembanyama, in his first season with the Spurs, is averaging 20.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.3 blocks in 54 regular-season games, while his OKC Thunder counterpart, Holmgren, is averaging 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 blocks in 59 regular-season games. A very close battle, indeed.

Wembanyama or Holmgren: odds

It’s possible that favorite Victor Wembanyama could win the NBA Rookie of the Year award, and his performance last night might have secured it for him. As a result, the budding San Antonio Spurs superstar has widened the gap between him and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren on the odds list. Wembanyama’s odds have increased from -600 to -1270 in the past week, meaning that a $10 bet could win $11.67 in total.

On the other hand, Holmgren’s odds have decreased from +500 to +1000. Only a few months ago, Holmgren was the favorite at -250, while Wembanyama trailed behind at +150. However, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick has been on a hot streak since then. Holmgren, who stands at 7-foot-1, was the second pick in the 2022 NBA draft but missed last season due to a foot injury. Brandon Miller is a distant third in the odds at +42000, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski are tied for fourth at +50000.