Jaylen Wells

Jaylen Wells

Wells in 2024
No. 0 – Memphis Grizzlies
Position	Small forward/shooting guard
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(2003-08-26) August 26, 2003 (age 21) Sacramento, California, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school	Folsom (Folsom, California)
College	Sonoma State (2021–2023) Washington State (2023–2024)
NBA draft	2024: 2nd round, 39th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career	2024–present
Career history
2024–present	Memphis Grizzlies
Career highlights and awards
CCAA Player of the Year (2023) First-team All-CCAA (2023)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Jaylen Wells (born August 26, 2003) is an American basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Sonoma State Seawolves and the Washington State Cougars.

Early life and high school career

Wells grew up in Sacramento, California and attended Folsom High School.[1] As a senior, he averaged 26.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He was named the area Player of the Year by The Sacramento Bee.[2] Wells committed to play college basketball at Division II Sonoma State University.[3]

College career

Wells began his college basketball career playing for the Sonoma State Seawolves.[4] He averaged 12.6 points per game during his freshman season.[5] He was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year after averaging 22.4 points per game during his sophomore campaign.[6] After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[7]

Wells transferred to Washington State and entered his junior season as the Cougars' starting small forward.[8] He averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[9] After the season, Wells declared for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his college eligibility.[10] He later also re-entered the transfer portal.[11] Wells later decided to remain in the draft.[12]

Professional career

Memphis Grizzlies (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, Wells was selected with the 39th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA draft;[13] on July 6, he signed with the Grizzlies.[14]

On October 23, 2024, Wells made his NBA debut, playing in a 126–124 victory over the Utah Jazz in the season opener. On October 31, Wells made his first career start against the Milwaukee Bucks where he scored a then career-high 16 points. On December 3, Wells was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October/November. It marks the 16th time a Memphis Grizzlies player has won the honor and the 10th player to do so, joining Ja Morant (3 times), Pau Gasol (3 times), OJ Mayo (2 times), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (2 times), Rudy Gay, Nick Calathes, Tarence Kinsey, and Drew Gooden.[15] In 20 games, Wells averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25 minutes while shooting over 45 percent from the court.[16]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

College

NCAA Division I

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2023–24	Washington State	34	20	29.2	.436	.417	.814	4.6	1.2	.5	.2	12.6

NCAA Division II

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	Sonoma State	25	21	30.6	.406	.263	.716	5.8	1.7	1.0	.2	12.6
2022–23	Sonoma State	30	30	36.8	.517	.438	.861	8.7	2.6	1.6	.4	22.4
Career		55	51	34.0	.476	.355	.808	7.4	2.2	1.3	.3	17.9

References

1. Davidson, Joe (July 10, 2022). "Trio of young Sacramento players train against pros". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
2. Mascareñas, Xavier (July 7, 2021). "Bee's Best Basketball Players of the Year, Harriel and Wells". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
3. Long, Matt (May 27, 2021). "Jaylen Wells can do it all on the court". Gold Country Media. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
4. Morris, Gus (March 21, 2024). "Former SSU star helps Washington State to NCAA Tournament". The Press Democrat. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
5. Clark, Colton (April 18, 2023). "Jaylen Wells, a Division II All-American from Sonoma State, transfers to Washington State". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
6. Morris, Gus (March 16, 2023). "College notebook: SSU's Jaylen Wells named conference Player of the Year". The Press Democrat. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
7. Vinnick, Jamey (July 4, 2023). "WSU basketball: The file on 6-7 forward Jaylen Wells". 247Sports. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
8. Woods, Greg (December 16, 2023). "Behind the transformation of WSU guard Jaylen Wells, and his elite shooting". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
9. Vinnick, Jamey (April 30, 2024). "WSU's Jaylen Wells says entire focus is on NBA, not transfer portal". 247Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
10. Woods, Greg (April 4, 2024). "WSU wing Jaylen Wells declares for NBA Draft, retaining option to return to school". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
11. Woods, Greg (April 25, 2024). "WSU men's wing Jaylen Wells reportedly entering transfer portal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
12. Woods, Greg (May 30, 2024). "Former WSU wing Jaylen Wells staying in NBA draft pool". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
13. Flojo, Enzo (June 28, 2024). "Grizzlies 2024 NBA Draft grades for every pick". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
14. Grizzlies PR [@GrizzliesPR] (July 6, 2024). "The Memphis Grizzlies today signed Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells to multi-year contracts" (Tweet). Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
15. "Memphis Grizzlies Awards By Type". realGM.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
16. "Jaylen Wells named Western Conference Rookie of the month". NBA.com. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.

External links

• Washington State Cougars bio
• Sonoma State Seawolves bio