The 2024-25 Wooden Award odds position Hunter Dickinson and RJ Davis as co-favorites, each at +800. This prestigious award recognizes the most exceptional men’s college basketball player annually.
With Zach Edey moving on to the NBA after winning the award for the past two seasons, the spotlight now shifts to the next generation of talent.
Betting odds often provide insight into potential contenders for the award.
Let’s take a closer look at the odds for several candidates (via DraftKings Sportsbook):
2023-24 JOHN WOODEN AWARD ODDS:*
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
RJ Davis, North Carolina: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Mark Sears, Alabama: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
AJ Storr, Kansas: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
LJ Cryer, Houston: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Johnell Davis, Arkansas: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Khalif Battle, Gonzaga: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Liam McNeeley, UConn: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Zeke Mayo, Kansas: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Tyrese Proctor, Duke: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
*odds as of 7/15/24
Both Hunter Dickinson from Kansas and RJ Davis from North Carolina are seasoned players in college basketball, entering the season as early favorites for the Wooden Award.
Dickinson returns to Kansas for his fifth season. The towering 7-foot-2 center previously played three seasons at Michigan before transferring to Bill Self’s program in Lawrence last spring.
During his time as a Jayhawk, he averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 54.8% from the field.
Last season, Dickinson earned the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year title and secured a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team.
Similarly, RJ Davis is also entering his fifth collegiate season, having dedicated his entire career to the Tar Heels.
Last year, Davis showcased his skills, averaging 21.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 39.8% from three-point range.
Standing at 6 feet tall, he received the prestigious Jerry West Award for the nation’s top shooting guard, was named ACC Player of the Year, and earned consensus First Team All-American honors.
Commenting on Dickinson’s return, FOX Sports college basketball analyst John Fanta noted his potential impact, emphasizing the significance of his experience.
Fanta also highlighted Davis’s crucial role for the Tar Heels in the upcoming season, suggesting his presence could elevate the team’s competitiveness.
After ranking North Carolina as the No. 6 team in his early top 25 list, he remarked, “the Tar Heels are at No. 6 because RJ Davis could be the preseason National Player of the Year.”
Pick via John Fanta:
Fanta favors Mark Sears of Alabama at +1400 for the Wooden Award.
He advises steering clear of the top two favorites, believing Alabama has the potential to contend for the national championship this season.
Sears averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last year, contributing to a Final Four run. His return, alongside new additions like Grant Nelson, Aden Holloway from Auburn, and Cliff Omoruyi from Rutgers, combined with Nate Oats’s coaching, positions Alabama for success. Sears is poised to be one of the top guards in the nation.
