The Wizards’ Alexander Sarr has leapfrogged Zach Eddy as the favorite for Rookie of the Year

Zach EdeyHis return to the top of the NBA Rookie of the Year list didn’t last long. Just weeks after becoming favorite to win the award once again, Memphis Grizzlies the center is overcome by Wizards rookie Alex Sarr.

Sarr has the best chance to win a prize at Fanduel Sportsbook. It is priced at +170, giving it a default probability of 37 percent. Sarr also claimed the top spot on the NBA Kia Rookie Ladder.

Several other players also passed Edeo, who dropped to fourth place on the list. End of December 2024. Edei was set at +120which has now increased to +900. Edei’s teammate Jalen Wells and San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle also skipped him. However, Eday remains above Yves Misi, who has dropped to fifth in the betting market despite being second on Kia’s NBA rookie rankings.

Missy was previously the favorite to win the award before Edei took over. The New Orleans Pelicans center has seen a dip in production recently due to lingering injury issues and the return of star forward Sion Williamson.

If Sarr is named the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year, he will technically become the first Wizards player to claim the trophy. Wes Unseld, Walt Bellamy, Terry Dischinger and Earl Monroe have done it before in the franchise, but no player has done it since the team was renamed the Washington Wizards in 1997.

Recent Wizards C improvements by Alec Sarr

After a slow start to the year, Sarr hit in December 2024 and has kept his foot on the gas ever since. While not a dynamic scorer, he has been in double figures in 17 of his last 18 games.

Saro’s biggest impact has been on defense, where he has already become one of the best rim protectors. The 19-year-old is averaging 1.6 blocks per game per year, which is ninth best in the league. His superior mobility and athleticism have also been utilized on the perimeter, giving the Wizards fluidity to switch on ball screens.

As Sarr grew, Edey faded with the Grizzlies. The 7-foot-4 giant still starts for the team, but is often pulled from the rotation due to his lack of mobility and underhand issues. The Purdue alum is averaging just 17.5 minutes per game through Memphis’ first eight contests in January.

Sarr’s emergence could soon increase if the team moves veteran center Jonas Valanciunas before the upcoming trade deadline. The Wizards are expected to be involved by Feb. 6, and Valanciunas is one of the names commonly mentioned in the organization.