Jaylen Wells Explained

Jaylen Wells
Position:Small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:8
Weight Lb:205
League:NBA
Team:Memphis Grizzlies
Number:0
Birth Date:26 August 2003
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
High School:Folsom
(Folsom, California)
College:
Draft Year:2024
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:39
Draft Team:Memphis Grizzlies
Career Start:2024
Years1:–present
Team1:Memphis Grizzlies
Highlights:
  • CCAA Player of the Year (2023)
  • First-team All-CCAA (2023)

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. He currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.

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] Wells was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year after averaging 22.4 points per game during his sophomore season.[6] After the season he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[7]

Wells ultimately transferred to Washington State. He entered his junior season as the Cougars' starting small forward.[8] Wells 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] and on July 6, he signed with the Grizzlies.[14]

Career statistics

College

NCAA Division I

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24| style="text-align:left;"| Washington State| 34 || 20 || 29.2 || .436 || .417 || .814 || 4.6 || 1.2 || .5 || .2 || 12.6

NCAA Division II

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Sonoma State| 25 || 21 || 30.6 || .406 || .263 || .716 || 5.8 || 1.7 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.6|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Sonoma State| 30 || 30 || 36.8 || .517 || .438 || .861 || 8.7 || 2.6 || 1.6 || .4 || 22.4|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 55 || 51 || 34.0 || .476 || .355 || .808 || 7.4 || 2.2 || 1.3 || .3 || 17.9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trio of young Sacramento players train against pros. Joe. Davidson. The Sacramento Bee. July 10, 2022. May 14, 2024.
  2. Web site: Bee's Best Basketball Players of the Year, Harriel and Wells. The Sacramento Bee. July 7, 2021. May 14, 2024.
  3. Web site: Jaylen Wells can do it all on the court. Matt. Long. Gold Country Media. May 27, 2021. May 14, 2024.
  4. Web site: Former SSU star helps Washington State to NCAA Tournament. Gus. Morris. The Press Democrat. March 21, 2024. May 13, 2024.
  5. Web site: Jaylen Wells, a Division II All-American from Sonoma State, transfers to Washington State. The Spokesman-Review. April 18, 2023. May 13, 2024.
  6. Web site: College notebook: SSU's Jaylen Wells named conference Player of the Year. Gus. Morris. The Press Democrat. March 16, 2023. May 13, 2024.
  7. Web site: WSU basketball: The file on 6-7 forward Jaylen Wells. Jamey. Vinnick. 247Sports. July 4, 2023. May 14, 2024.
  8. Web site: Behind the transformation of WSU guard Jaylen Wells, and his elite shooting. The Seattle Times. December 16, 2023. May 13, 2024.
  9. Web site: WSU's Jaylen Wells says entire focus is on NBA, not transfer portal. Jamey. Vinnick. 247Sports. April 30, 2024. May 13, 2024.
  10. Web site: WSU wing Jaylen Wells declares for NBA Draft, retaining option to return to school. Greg. Woods. The Spokesman-Review. April 4, 2024. May 13, 2024.
  11. Web site: WSU men's wing Jaylen Wells reportedly entering transfer portal. The Seattle Times. April 25, 2024. May 13, 2024.
  12. Web site: Former WSU wing Jaylen Wells staying in NBA draft pool. Greg. Woods. The Seattle Times. May 30, 2024. May 31, 2024.
  13. Web site: Enzo. Flojo. Grizzlies 2024 NBA Draft grades for every pick. ClutchPoints.com. June 28, 2024. June 28, 2024.
  14. Grizzlies PR. The Memphis Grizzlies today signed Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells to multi-year contracts.. 1809706546542076126. GrizzliesPR. July 6, 2024. July 14, 2024.