Even though the Las Vegas Summer League ended weeks ago, Lonzo Ball fever is still permeating Sin City.
The Los Angeles Lakers' rookie point guard opened as the 9-5 favorite at William Hill's Nevada sportsbook to capture Rookie of the Year honors, ESPN's David Purdum reported.
Across town at the Westgate SuperBook, however, 2016 No. 1 pick Ben Simmons opened as the 5-2 favorite for the award. After missing all of the 2016-17 season due to injuries, Simmons will be making his long-awaited regular-season debut in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey.
Following Ball at William Hill are Simmons and Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr., both listed at 4-1 odds. Simmons' teammate, 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz, came in at 13-2, with the Celtics' Jayson Tatum and the Kings' De'Aaron Fox both opening at 8-1.
This is the first season in which the Rookie of the Year recipient can be bet on in Nevada sportsbooks.
Despite the hype for Ball and Simmons, recent history reminds fans that a long shot can still claim the prize; the Milwaukee Bucks selected the eventual 2016-17 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon in the second round of the 2016 draft - 36th overall.
