Rookie Race Starts with Jabari Parker | IXGAMES
The early frontrunner to win this year’s NBA rookie of the year award is Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker. The former Duke star is 3/1 to take the award. With nothing but opportunity awaiting him in Wisconsin, Parker’s ability to put points on the board and grab rebounds could make him a popular NBA betting option for individual props. Parker joins a Bucks team that needs a clearly defined leader. While Parker will have some support from John Henson and Larry Sanders, he will be responsible for scoring.Parker averaged 19.1 PPG and 8.1 RPG in his only year of college. He enters the pros as a polished rookie who is ready to contribute immediately. Parker will face stiff competition from rival Andrew Wiggins. The latter is regarded as less refined, with a higher ceiling but less of an immediate impact. Regardless, Wiggins is 4/1 to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. He is second on the list. The third player on the list is at risk of being overlooked. Nerlens Noel was the No. 6 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft but missed all of the 2013-2014 campaign on account of a knee injury. Noel is a defensive-oriented player out of Kentucky (think Anthony Davis) and could quite likely swat enough shots to make an impact. Fittingly, Noel is 6/1 to win Rookie of the Year, which makes him an intriguing third option.