Zach Edey’s monster summer league debut makes him NBA Rookie of the Year favorite

Zach Edey is the NBA’s new 2025 Rookie of the Year favorite after a sterling summer league debut. 

The 7-foot-4 Edey, who was recently considered a long shot for the award, is currently a +600 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

The Purdue product was drafted ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies after questions about how his athleticism and size would fit in the NBA. 

If his debut in Salt Lake City is any indication, Edey is going to be just fine as a pro. 

Edey dropped 14 points with 15 rebounds and four blocks in 34 minutes against the Jazz in his first summer league game Monday, exciting the interest of oddsmakers and sports bettors alike. 

The performance helped vault Edey into pole position to add even more hardware to a collection that already includes two Associated Press men’s college basketball player of the year awards.

As recently as late June after the draft, Edey was +1200 at FanDuel, tied for the seventh-best odds to win the award. 

ESPN BET had Edey as high as +2000. 

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Joining a Grizzlies team that is thin at the center position after trading away big man Steven Adams at last season’s trade deadline, Edey has a shot at slotting into Memphis’ starting lineup next season.

Edey takes over the top spot on the odds board from Alexandre Sarr (+700), who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Wizards. 

The pair are closely trailed by Zaccharie Risacher (+750), whom the Atlanta Hawks took with the first pick of the draft.

The Lakers’ Dalton Knecht (+850), the Rockets’ Reed Sheppard (+1000) and the Bulls’ Matas Buzelis (+1000) are the only other players with odds no worse than 10/1 at FanDuel.