Pro Cougs in the NBA had another good week, while points were down across the board play was still at a high level. The two best Cougars this week were Cedric Coward once again and Mouhamed Gueye, who had consistent games and shot the ball very well. Klay Thompson and Jaylen Wells are still struggling to find their three-point shooting.
Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies) – Coward could have easily had another great week if it was not for the play style of the Grizzlies. Against the Golden State Warriors, the Grizzlies decided every fast-break opportunity was going to be an iso. On more than five occasions Coward along with Vince Williams Jr. were on a two-on-one fast break and they did not pass to Coward.
Against the Warriors, Coward ended up with nine points, four rebounds and two assists. His defense on Jimmy Butler and occasionally Stephen Curry was good, and Coward avoided getting his “welcome to the league” moment.
Against the Suns, he had 14 points, four rebounds and one assist. Coward shot 66% from beyond the arc and 100% from the free-throw line. In the Grizzlies’ first NBA Cup game against the Lakers, Coward had his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, however he did struggle shooting the ball.
While Coward made none of his three-point attempts and was just 36% from the field, he was aggressive and sought after his shot. In his latest showing versus the Raptors, Coward played a season-high 29 minutes with 12 points, five assists and five rebounds. Coward is second in the Rookie of the Year race, trailing 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedrick Coward drives through the lane before scoring 2 of his 30 points against Northern Colorado, Nov. 18, in Pullman, Wash.
Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies) – Coming into the week, Wells was looking to bounce back after a mediocre opening week but instead continued it. Against the Warriors, Wells struggled shooting the ball but his defense made up for it. Guarding Curry is no easy task due to him running around the court constantly and never being stagnant. Wells had 10 points, two assists and one rebound in the loss.
Against the Suns, Wells had nine points, one assist and three rebounds. Wells shot 20% from the three-point line. In his latest showing against the Raptors, Wells had his best game of the week with seven points, five rebounds and two assists, shooting his season-high 25% from three in the game.
Wells will need to get going for the Grizzlies to go anywhere this season. Star PG Ja Morant has been a dud to start this season and the Grizzlies cannot afford for both starting backcourt players to have a slow start to the beginning of the season.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Jaylen Wells tries to cross up Stanford forward Spencer Jones during an NCAA men’s basketball game, Feb. 17. 2024, in Pullman, Wash.
Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks) – The future Hall of Famer has struggled shooting the ball to start the season but this is not just a “this-season” issue. Since his back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2019 and 2020, Thompson’s three-point shooting numbers have decreased; before the injuries Thompson shot a minimum of 40% from three. Since coming back in 2022 he has shot over 40% one time, averaging 37% since 2022.
Against the defending champions Oklahoma Thunder, Thompson put up eight points, four rebounds and two assists shooting 33% from beyond the arc. Coming off that game he put up five points against the Pacers with one rebound and one assist, but his shooting did not show up, only hitting 16% of his threes. However, Thompson ended the week with his second-best shooting game of the season with 11 points, three rebounds and one assist on 43% shooting. Head coach Jason Kidd seems to be limiting Thompson’s playtime; 22 minutes is his season high thus far.
ABIGAIL LINNENKOHL
The WSU men’s basketball team poses in front of Klay Thompson’s banner bearing his now-retired jersey number.
Isaac Jones (Sacramento Kings) – The second-year Cougar is not getting much playtime but he did register two minutes in a game versus the Bulls. Jones finished with one point coming via the free-throw line.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Issac Jones named as one of the starters for Washington State in an NCAA men’s basketball game, Jan. 4, in Pullman, Wash.
Mouhamed Gueye (Atlanta Hawks) – Gueye has been earning more and more playtime this week. Against the Bulls he put up four points in 10 minutes on over 60% shooting. In game two of the week versus the Nets he put up nine points, four rebounds and two assists, shooting 50% from three and 66% from the field once again.
Against the Pacers, Gueye put up six points and six rebounds on 60% shooting once again. His efficiency thus far is top three on the Hawks, shooting 60% in three out of five games this season. Gueye started playing basketball at 15 years old and has already made himself one the best players on the team. This is something you do not see often, especially out of someone who starts playing basketball at a late age.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye (35) shoots over California forward Andre Kelly (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 15, in Beasley Coliseum.
Overall, not as exciting a week as the first week, but if there is one thing Cougars do it is bounce back. Although Wells and Thompson are struggling with their three-point shooting, when you can shoot at their level it is just a matter of time for the shooting slump to end.