John Wooden Award Odds (2026-27)

The following post features the John Wooden Award Odds (2026-27).

With the NCAAB season approaching, sportsbooks have released John Wooden Award odds recognizing the most outstanding player in college basketball.

Read: Jerry West Award Watch List (Best SGs)

Related: Karl Malone Award Watch List (Best PFs)

The race for the Wooden Award spotlights the nation’s premier talent, giving fans and bettors alike a glimpse at who could emerge as the face of college basketball.

So, how is the John Wooden Award race shaping up for 2026-27? Here’s what you need to know.

John Wooden Award Odds (2026-27)

Below is a table displaying the preseason odds for the 2026-27 John Wooden Award. All odds were sourced on September 22, 2026. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Preseason Player Spotlights

Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State Spartans)

The returning All-American point guard led the nation in assists (9.4 per game) while averaging 15.2 points in 2025-26. Fears set Michigan State single-season records for assists and established himself as one of the premier playmakers in college basketball. After testing the NBA Draft waters, he opted to return for another season as a clear Wooden Award contender and the engine of the Spartans’ offense.

Thomas Haugh (Florida Gators)

The versatile 6-9 forward emerged as Florida’s leading scorer in 2025-26, averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds while earning All-America honors. A key contributor on the Gators’ 2025 national championship team, Haugh took a major leap as a junior and chose to return for his senior season rather than enter the NBA Draft. He enters 2026-27 as one of the most complete and experienced forwards in the country.

David Mirkovic (Illinois Fighting Illini)

The physical 6-9 freshman from Montenegro made an immediate impact in 2025-26, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors. Mirkovic showed advanced skill as a stretch-four, shooting 37.5% from three, and helped Illinois reach the Final Four. Entering his sophomore year, he is expected to take another significant step forward.

Tyran Stokes (Kansas Jayhawks)

The consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class arrives at Kansas with massive expectations. The 6-7, 230-pound wing dominated at the high school level, averaging 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists as a senior while leading Rainier Beach to a state title. Stokes brings elite athleticism, size, and playmaking ability and is viewed as a potential one-and-done star with Wooden Award upside as a freshman.

Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt Commodores)

The dynamic 6-0 guard exploded in 2025-26, averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.4 steals while earning All-SEC First Team and All-Defensive honors. Tanner became one of the most productive two-way players in the country and withdrew from the NBA Draft to return for his junior season. He remains the clear centerpiece for a rising Vanderbilt program.

John Blackwell (Duke Blue Devils)

After three productive seasons at Wisconsin, the 6-4 scoring guard transferred to Duke for 2026-27. Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as a junior while shooting nearly 39% from three, earning Third-Team All-Big Ten recognition. He brings proven high-volume scoring and experience to a loaded Blue Devils roster.

John Wooden Award Winner (2025-26)

Cameron Boozer (Duke Blue Devils) won the 2025-26 John R. Wooden Award as the most outstanding player in men’s college basketball.

The freshman forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field. Boozer led Duke in scoring, rebounding, and assists, helping the Blue Devils to a strong season that included an ACC regular-season title and ACC Tournament championship.

He becomes just the fifth freshman to win the Wooden Award and the eighth Blue Devil overall — the most of any program. Boozer also swept the major national player of the year honors, including the Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year, and consensus first-team All-American recognition.

John R. Wooden Award

The John R. Wooden Award recognizes the most outstanding men’s college basketball player each season, honoring both on-court performance and character. Over the course of the season, the Wooden Award selection committee evaluates players on the preseason watchlist, tracking their statistics, leadership, and overall impact on their teams. Midway through the season, the committee narrows the list to a group of semifinalists, and later selects the five finalists. The winner is then chosen by a national panel of college basketball experts, including media members, former Wooden Award winners, and Hall of Fame coaches.

John Wooden Award Winners (by Year)

Click here for the John Wooden Award Winner by year.