This year’s Rookie of the Year race is set to be one of the best in recent history. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are having historic seasons and the award could really go either way depending on how the remaining games play out.
Around midway through the season, Holmgren was still a slight -190 favorite to Wembanyama’s +125 in betting markets such as BetMGM. However, the gap between the two has been narrowing.
Who is currently ahead for the Rookie of the Year award?
Are Victor Wembanyama or Chet Holmgren leading the race for Rookie of the Year?
Ultimately, the voting will be done by members of the media, so looking at who they have so far is a good indication of who is ahead and behind. This is what some of the most important voices in the sector are saying so far.
Yahoo Sports: Chet Holmgren
“It’s notable that Chet was just added to a burgeoning contender in the West and has been not only their second-best player, but a legitimate All-Star candidate this year who is putting up numbers in line with the Hall of Fame. consecration if he can keep it that way for the next decade or more.
—Jake Fischer
The NBA on TNT Crew: Victor Wembanyama
“Wembanyama is their team’s first choice… If you put Wembanyama in OKC, are they better?”
—Kenny Smith
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks: Chet Holmgren
“Holmgren not only has strong midseason Rookie of the Year credentials, but he’s also making a case for playing in Indianapolis in next month’s All-Star Game. He could also see his name on an All-Defensive Team.”
– Bobby brands
NBC Sports: Chet Holmgren
“What really sets him apart in this race is that he is playing a significant role in the victory, which is rare for rookies in the NBA.”
—Kurt Helin
The ringer: Chet Holmgren
“Chet is elevating and intensifying the things the Thunder were already good at. OKC could score with anyone last season, and Holmgren has reinforced their defensive strength without neutralizing that scoring punch.”
-J.Kyle Mann
JJ Redick: Chet Holmgren
“What Chet is doing on a great basketball team, as a rookie, is phenomenal. How many times have we seen a rookie this efficient on a top-five basketball team?”
– J.J. Redick
Victor Wembanyama is catching up with Chet Holmgren
Holmgren began the season with a big lead in the Rookie of the Year race, flashing lights from all over the court. That shot has declined in recent months, but he’s still at an outstanding 54.2 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from three and 79.6 percent from the free throw line.
Wembanyama has had the opposite arc in his rookie year. He has had highlight plays throughout, but was struggling to score and settling for more jumpers early in the year.
Since moving to center on Dec. 8, Wembanyama has been the top rookie. He has averaged a scandalous 21.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.7 blocks per game with 49.8 percent shooting from the field, 33.7 percent from three and 79.8 percent at the free throw line.
Wembanyama has maintained those prodigious rates in just 26.7 minutes per game. The Spurs are being very careful with him, putting him on a minutes restriction while he recovers from an ankle injury. He has tried to fight it, even surreptitiously registering in a game before being immediately replaced again.
Wembanyama has also seen his production increase because the Spurs finally put point guard Tre Jones in the starting lineup. Jones is one of the only players on the team who has realized that you can throw the ball anywhere near Wembanyama and he will find a way to make it.
There’s little debate about whether Wembanyama is more likely to be the better player going forward, but Holmgren has put up better stats on a much better team. However, the statistical gap between them is closing. It is too close to decide as of now: this award will be determined in the last month of the year.
