OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren New Favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year

Center Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder has emerged as the new betting favorite (-155 odds) over Victor Wembanyama (+120) to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, seen here throwing down a dunk against the Los Angeles Clippers, is currently the betting favorite to win Rookie of the Year. (Image: Getty)

Holmgren, the #2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft from Gonzaga, sustained a foot injury during a pro-am game in Seattle before the preseason began. He didn t appear in any regular games during the 2022-23 season, so he retained his rookie status heading into this season.

Holmgren began the season as the second favorite on DraftKings NBA awards board at -155 odds to win the Rookie of the Year.

Wembanyama, a teenage sensation from France, was DraftKings preseason favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year at -225. The San Antonio Spurs selected the 7-foot-4 wunderkind with the in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Chet Holmgren (Thunder) -155

Holmgren is a key starter on the young Thunder (18-9), who are in third place in the Western Conference. The rookie center is the Thunder s third-best scorer behind all-star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.8 ppg), and second-year forward Jalen Williams (17.4 ppg).

Holmgren averages 17.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.4 assists per game. He s shooting 52.6% from the floor, including 36.9% from 3-point range. He s been consistent, posting 10 double-doubles in 27 games this season.

Holmgren has had two big scoring games this season, including a 33-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers. It was an impressive performance from Holmgren, who more than held his own against reigning MVP Joel Embiid.

Holmgren dropped a career-high 36 points in an overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors in November. That clutch performance grabbed the attention of NBA bettors.