NBA Fans Have a Clear Favorite For Rookie of the Year and It's Not Cooper Flagg
The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up, and an unexpected name is stealing the spotlight: Walter Clayton Jr. of the Utah Jazz.
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Despite the hype surrounding top draft pick Cooper Flagg, selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, betting trends and fan excitement have shifted toward Clayton, a former Florida Gator making waves ahead of the season.
Clayton is known for the scintillating stretch of games he put together in the NCAA Tournament, leading Todd Golden and the Gators to a national championship over Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars.
A recent FanDuel Sportsbook Instagram post highlighted Clayton as the most bet-on player for the award so far, with odds at +10000, signaling a growing belief in his potential.
Fans are buzzing, with over 8,000 likes and hundreds of comments on the post as many are rallying behind #WalterClaytonJrForROTY.
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Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. dribbles the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the men's Final Four.Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Known for his scoring prowess in college, Clayton's transition to the NBA has ignited hope among Jazz supporters, who see him as a dark horse capable of outshining rookies like Flagg.
His underdog status (+10000 odds) adds to the excitement, contrasting with Flagg's favored narrative.
While Flagg brings elite pedigree, Clayton's early impact and fan support suggest a Cinderella story in the making.
Social media reactions range from ecstatic to skeptical, but the momentum is undeniable
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether this rookie can defy the odds and claim the Rookie of the Year title, proving that fan faith and betting trends can sometimes predict the unpredictable.
Related: Exciting News Emerges About Florida's 7-Foot-9 Center
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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