It’s never too early to discuss who the NBA Rookie of the Year could be, right?
For now, Warriors center James Wiseman is the favorite for the prestigious title with +150 odds, provided by our partner, PointsBet. This means that a $100 bet on Wiseman would win you $150.
Before the season had begun, he had +600 odds behind Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball.
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As time goes on, the numbers will change of course, but for now, let’s take a look at why he is the favorite.
The Warriors’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft showcased his athleticism right away this season. He’s averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game -- and he's also made five of his six 3-point attempts, heading into Tuesday's game..
The way the 7-foot big man has been playing, you have to remind yourself he’s a just 19-year-old rookie. See? I just had to remind you.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr not only is impressed by Wiseman, but he also senses fearlessness coming from the Memphis product.
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"What I am surprised about, is that with so little practice time ... that he's as confident as he is out there," coach Steve Kerr told reporters in Chicago on Saturday.
Kerr assumed the young Wiseman would be a “deer in the headlights,” which would have been understandable, but that hasn’t been the case.
Wiseman has been ready from the beginning. He arrived at his first practice hyper, being described by Warriors’ star Steph Curry as a puppy who was let loose, a compliment Wiseman embraced.
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Golden State is off to a slow start with just a 1-2 record, and while it’s only the beginning, Wiseman is painting himself to be a bright spot to pay attention to this season.
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