Some NBA draft pundits regarded last year’s group of prospects as one of the weaker classes in recent memory, but several talents at the top shined throughout the season. Now, bettors with awards futures finally get an answer for their season-long tickets — who won the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award?
Spurs guard Stephon Castle gets to add a major accolade to his trophy case after taking home Rookie of the Year honors. Notably, he’s the second straight player for the franchise to earn the award after Victor Wembanyama’s win last season.
San Antonio selected Castle fourth overall in the draft last offseason. The 20-year-old played a key role for the Spurs over the course of his rookie campaign, averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. However, his defensive impact remains more impressive as Castle comfortably holds his own at the point of attack, even against larger opponents. The UConn product also proved availability is the best ability by appearing in 81 of 82 possible contests.
Other finalists for Rookie of the Year included Hawks wing Zaccharie Risacher, who was selected with the first-overall pick, as well as second-round Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells. Castle earned 82 of 100 possible first-place votes to win the award in a landslide.
When the Rookie of the Year futures market opened before the season Castle was listed at +700 odds to win the award on DraftKings Sportsbook. By mid-December, the guard became the betting favorite at +140 odds before falling to +1100 in early January. However, his growing role over the remainder of the campaign allowed him to rise back up the leaderboard — he ended the season as a -1100 favorite.
Castle isn’t the only one winning, either. Back in November, one DraftKings Sportsbook bettor placed a $1,500 wager on the Spurs guard to win Rookie of the Year at season’s end. With +2000 odds at the time, the initial bet turned into a $30,000 payout.
With a RotY nod now under his belt, Castle looks to cement his place as a core piece in the Spurs’ future. The franchise appears to be on the upswing in the long-term having paired Wembanyama with De’Aaron Fox, and if Castle can take his game up another notch, he can round out one of the NBA’s most intriguing young lineups.
