Most years, the leadup to the NBA Draft is a careful consideration of which prospect deserves the billing as the No. 1 pick.
As this draft's NBA odds clearly illustrate, 2023 is nothing more than a Victor Wembanyama hype train leading up to the French beanstalk's inevitable selection first overall.
Wembanyama's fate was decided May 16, to the delight of most NBA fans without a vested interest. The San Antonio Spurs and legendary coach Gregg Popovich landed the first pick for draft night on June 22nd, ensuring the phenom will be in good hands.
As the league gets set to welcome its most intriguing prospect in years, we've got an updated look at the odds to go first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
2023 NBA Draft: Odds to go first overall
| Player | Odds to go first overall |
|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | -20,000 |
| Scoot Henderson | +4,000 |
| Brandon Miller | +10,000 |
| Amen Thompson | +10,000 |
| Jarace Walker | +15,000 |
| Ausar Thompson | +15.000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook on June 7, 2023.
Favorite to be picked first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft
Victor Wembanyama (-20,000)
There hasn't been this much excitement about a draft prospect in quite some time: Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-something adjective-defier currently dominating the LNB Pro A for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92.
Wembanyama's dynamic combination of long-range shooting, transcendent rim protection, and fluid skill set, has made him a can't-miss atop this year's board, breaking even the most optimistic player comps from the NBA's recent crops of "unicorn" big men like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Chet Holmgren.
While his frame is still rail-thin, the skill is undeniable and diverse enough that Wembanyama can excel in several areas right out of the gate for the Spurs next season. From there, the sky's the limit.
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Understanding NBA Draft betting
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When Zion Williamson opened as the heavy favorite to go first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number.
- Zion Williamson -2,000
This meant that a bettor needed to wager $2000 to win $100 by betting on Zion. Everyone else in that field had plus (+) odds to win.
- RJ Barrett +550
Williamson's teammate at Duke, RJ Barrett had the second-best odds at +550. A bettor would stand to profit $550 for every $100 wagered on Barrett.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
NBA Draft betting trends
Here are some recent trends you'll want to keep in mind when betting on NBA Draft odds:
- Positions have been reasonably well-distributed among the No. 1 picks. Over the past 20 NBA Drafts, eight have been forwards, seven guards, and five centers.
- "One-and-done" college freshmen make up the overwhelming majority of recent top picks, being selected No. 1 in each of the past 16 seasons since high schoolers were ruled ineligible.
- Among NCAA schools, Duke leads the all-time count with five No. 1 overall picks, including Paolo Banchero in 2022.
First overall NBA Draft picks since 2000
| Year | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | LeBron James | PG/F |
| 2004 | Dwight Howard | C |
| 2005 | Andrew Bogut | C |
| 2006 | Andrea Bargnani | F/C |
| 2007 | Greg Oden | C |
| 2008 | Derrick Rose | PG |
| 2009 | Blake Griffin | PF |
| 2010 | John Wall | PG |
| 2011 | Kyrie Irving | PG |
| 2012 | Anthony Davis | PF |
| 2013 | Anthony Bennett | PF |
| 2014 | Andrew Wiggins | G/F |
| 2015 | Karl-Anthony Towns | C |
| 2016 | Ben Simmons | PG/F |
| 2017 | Markelle Fultz | PG |
| 2018 | Deandre Ayton | C |
| 2019 | Zion Williamson | PF |
| 2020 | Anthony Edwards | SG |
| 2021 | Cade Cunningham | PG |
| 2022 | Paolo Banchero | PF |
NBA Draft Odds FAQ
The 2023 NBA Draft will be held on June 22, 2023 at a venue to be announced.
Victor Wembanyama is widely considered to be the No. 1 pick.
Duke leads the all-time NCAA tally with five players taken first overall.
