Jaylen Wells has emerged as a key player for the Memphis Grizzlies this season, and coach Taylor Jenkins believes there is plenty to like about the rookie from Washington State.
Wells is averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 36.9% shooting from 3-point range in 56 games. He is second in the rookie class in total scoring (629 points) and one of six first-year players to score at least 30 points in a game this season.
The 39th pick has started 51 games for Jenkins and the Grizzlies, the most by any rookie this season. He was recognized with a selection to the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend and is among the front-runners to win the Rookie of the Year award.
“I give him a lot of credit as a rookie, just a lot of consistency with his approach every single day,” Jenkins said. “He has been tasked with a lot of the toughest matchups night in and night out. I think his discipline is the thing that has really stood out the most. He is definitely having successful moments and growth moments, as well. When he makes a mistake, he really corrects it pretty quickly.”
Wells was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month in October and November. He is the only second-round pick averaging at least 10 points per game this season and has started in more games than the rest of the second-round draft class combined.
The 20-year-old is one of two players on the team who have played in every game this season for the Grizzlies (Scotty Pippen Jr.). He has proven to be incredibly tough in his first year in the league and has handled the rigors of a grueling schedule well to this point of the season.
Wells has an ironclad case to be perhaps the biggest steal of the draft, based on his performance and ability to impact games on a playoff-contending team. He has impressed those around him and should continue to affect winning at a high level.
“He is shooting high 30s from the 3-point line,” Jenkins said. “That is always encouraging for a rookie the way he is running the floor. The thing that has impressed me the most is you always hear about the rookie walls and making the adjustments, his durability and ability to still play fast and play with aggressiveness for 94 feet, pick up (on defense) (and) being dialed in night after night after night. The way he is taking care of his body, he is just showing progression there and consistency.”
