2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Predictions, Best Bets, Odds

• Get the most recent 2023 NBA Regular Season Rookie of the Year odds!
• Orlando Magic big man Paolo Banchero opens as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year!
• View stats and trends that will help you beat the sportsbooks!

The 2022-2023 NBA season is on its way and we are taking a look at some of the most promising rookies to enter the year. The 2022 NBA Draft brought in some of the world’s most exciting rookies. On the table is the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year award!

Number one overall pick Paolo Banchero is sure to make some noise with Orlando, while the one-of-a-kind Chet Holmgren has fans excited to see what he can do. But don’t sleep on athletic two-way big man Jabari Smith, or sharpshooter Keegan Murray.

2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

Every year the NBA Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the league’s most exceptional first-year player. The NBA hopes to present the achievement at the NBA Awards, which has been canceled for the past two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rookie of the Year is one of the few awards that rarely takes into account team success. Due to the nature of the player pool, the voting panel tends to reward individual success over other contributing factors.

Let’s answer some of the most important questions about the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Who is the Favorite to Win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2023?

(F) Paolo Banchero – 6-10, 250 lb (208 cm, 113 kg) – United States

The Orlando Magic were able to acquire a special talent in the 2022 NBA Draft when they selected Duke’s Paolo Banchero first overall. The big man is much more versatile than his time at Duke suggests, making it very likely that he’ll excel at the NBA level.

Banchero fits an immediate need for the Orlando Magic, as he is a very capable frontcourt scorer. He shines on the offensive end, showing a wide array of moves from post to the perimeter, while also being a solid playmaker.

The Orlando Magic look set to bolster Banchero’s success. He’s got capable playmakers surrounding him in Anthony and Wagner, while also having willing defenders in Ross and Bamba. If Banchero can find his form early in the season, he has everything it takes to put on a strong run for Rookie of the Year.

Who Are Other Contenders for the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Award?

(C) Chet Holmgren – 7-0, 195 lb (213 cm, 88 kg) – Gonzaga

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a clear vision for their squad moving forward and at the center of it all is Chet Holmgren. The slight 7-0 center has been one of amateur basketball’s most interesting prospects for years, and now he’ll ply his trade with one of the NBA’s youngest teams.

Holmgren is a one-of-a-kind offensive talent, with near unmatched size and skill. He projects to not just be a force on the scoring end, but he’s been more than capable as a rim protector.

The biggest issue with Holmgren seems to be his body, as he doesn’t have the strength that you’d expect from an NBA player. If he can overcome the shortcomings of his slight frame, Holmgren has all the tools to be a budding star.

(F) Keegan Murray – 6-8, 215 lb (203 cm, 97 kg) – Iowa

Keegan Murray may not be the first name that comes to mind when considering the Rookie of the Year award. However, after an MVP-worthy campaign through the 2022 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, he turned heads.

Murray posted 23.3 points on 50% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from three-point range. His 3.5 threes per game and 7.3 rebounds showed his versatility. If Murray can maintain that versatility on a Kings team where he’ll get plenty of opportunities, there’s no reason to think he can’t make a run for Rookie of the Year.

(F) Jabari Smith – 6-10, 220 lb (208 cm, 99 kg) – Auburn

Jabari Smith showed that he has the talent to be the number one pick in 2022, but he may have fallen into an even better situation with the Rockets. Flanked by two impressive scoring and playmaking guards in Jalen Green and Kevin Porter, Smith can focus on his role. With his two-way versatility, his production will be very valuable for the upstart Rockets.

NBA Rookie of the Year by Year

Which College Produces the Most Rookie of the Year Winners?

Without question, the NCAA owns the biggest talent pool for the NBA to recruit their next stars. While not representative of the program’s quality as a whole, these colleges have produced the most Rookie of the Year Winner’s in the NBA.

Which Position Wins the Most Rookie of the Year Awards?

Guard (28)

In a way, the Rookie of the Year is a contest where the criteria is the player impact on the game. Of course, those who handle the ball the most tend to be very productive rookies.

Playmaking guards like Jason Kidd and Chris Paul draw the attention of Rookie of the Year voters like no other. But scoring is also one of the most direct ways to put yourself atop the Rookie of the Year race, just ask Allen Iverson or Kyrie Irving.

Forward (30)

The most versatile position in the NBA forwards have dominated the Rookie of the Year race due to their playability and immediate impact.

Whether you want paint-oriented scorers and defenders like Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol, or free-wheeling wing scorers and playmakers like Elgin Baylor and Larry Bird, forwards have historically been productive rookies.

Center (15)

While centers have dominated the Most Valuable Player rankings, they are the least successful Rookie of the Year winning group. Due to the competition at the center spot, rookie big men tend to take longer to settle into the NBA game.

Some centers enter the league and dominate from the jump, like Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But don’t count out the impact a defensive ace like Emeka Okafor and David Robinson can make, despite their age.

Who is the Youngest Ever NBA Rookie of the Year?

Inherently one of the younger players in the league, the Rookie of the Year is a competition amongst youth.

In order, the five youngest winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are:

Who is the Oldest Ever NBA Rookie of the Year?

Some players enter the league late, stay longer in college, or even have non-basketball commitments that result in a later NBA debut than most rookies.

In order, the five oldest winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are: