No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher starts third in 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year odds

Most of the time, the first pick in the NBA draft will start at the top of the Rookie of the Year odds, but that’s not the case this time around. While it’s still way too early to think about the Rookie of the Year Award for the 2024-25 NBA season, the early odds released by Fanduel Sportsbook have first-round pick Zaccharie Risacher as the third-ranked pick. Second-overall pick Alex Sarr will be the favorite, and ninth-overall pick Zach Edey will be the second-ranked pick.

It’s surprising to see Risacher go third to start the season, but there’s still a long way to go. This year’s draft will be interesting to watch, and it’s too early to tell what role each rookie will play on their team. With Washington being one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, Sarr will likely play a lot of minutes and have the ball in his hands, even though he’s still developing offensively. Edey could be the starting center on a contending team like Memphis, but that’s not a given.

Risacher most recently suited up for JL Bourg (France), where he played 32 regular season games in Pro A (including 23 starts), averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes of play (.439% shooting, .352% from three, .740% from the field). He was named the 2023-24 French League Young Player of the Month, as well as the LNB Pro A Young Player of the Month twice, in October and November.

The 2023-24 EuroCup Rising Star award winner appeared in 23 EuroCup games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 23.5 minutes (.503 FG%, .450 3FG%, .688 FT%).

Risacher played 50 regular season games in the French Ligue 1, averaging 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.3 minutes (.425 shooting percentage, .338 three-point percentage, .729 free throw percentage). Prior to joining JL Bourg, he played two seasons with French club ASVEL (2021-23), where he played alongside 2023 first overall pick Victor Wembanyama during the 2021-22 season.

The 6’9 forward made his senior national team debut with France during the FIBA ​​EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in February 2024. He also represented France at the FIBA ​​U19 World Cup 2023, winning the silver medal, and helped France win the bronze medal at the FIBA ​​U17 World Cup 2022.

Game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change. If you or someone you know is suffering from a gambling problem and would like help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.