It was a week of highs and lows for former Cougars in the pros. Cedric Coward tied a record held by three Hall of Famers, Klay Thompson found himself coming off the bench and Mouhamed Gueye turned heads with his performance against the Lakers. Here is a full rundown of how the Pro Cougs fared this week.
Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies) –In the beginning weeks, Wells was struggling to find his jump shot and it has been more of the same aside from one game this week. Against the Pistons, Wells had an off-night with 4 points, six rebounds and three assists on 14.3% shooting from the field and 0% beyond the arc. However, he followed it up with his best shooting game against the Rockets with 8 points, three rebounds and one assist, on 100% shooting from the field and 3-point line. In his most recent game, the shooting struggles came back, Wells finished with eight points, five rebounds and one assist, on 33.3% from three. The Grizzlies had planned on Ja Morant and Wells to be a dominant backcourt, but thus far into the season neither has been playing to their potential or averages.
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.
Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies) –The past week has been nothing but a blessing for the former Coug. First, Coward saw his NBA 2k overall go from 72 to an 80, making him the highest rated WSU player in the game. Coward tied with Magic Johnson, Grant Hill and Michael Jordan as the only rookies to put up 150+ points, 50+ rebounds, 25+ assists and 10+ steals.Source. The Grizzlies went 1-3 this week but Coward won all week. Against the Pistons he had 17 points, six rebounds and two assists, pairing the showing with over 50% from both the three and field. Coward followed up the showing with an off-night offensively against the Rockets with 7 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Coward guarded Kevin Durant a decent chunk of the game and did a good job making shots difficult on the scoring machine. Against the Mavericks he nearly dropped a double-double, Coward ended with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists. He did not make the same mistake twice though, as against the Thunder, Coward did finish with a double-double, 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He has been the only consistent Grizzly all season and has shown a level of effort that is yet to be matched by his teammates.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedric Coward celebrates after a WSU basket, Nov. 9, in Pullman, Wash.
Mouhamed Gueye (Atlanta Hawks) –Gueye had an up-and-down week for Atlanta. He opened with 5 points, three assists and three rebounds in a 127-112 win over Orlando during NBA Cup group play. Against Toronto, he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 2 points and seven rebounds on 16.7% shooting. However, Gueye bounced back in a 122-102 win over the Lakers, posting 21 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while shooting 66.7% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line. His performance against Los Angeles showed flashes of the potential Atlanta saw when it drafted him.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye jumps for a dunk during an NCAA basketball game against UW, Feb. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks) –It was a frustrating week for Thompson and the Mavericks, who dropped three straight games. He opened with 5 points, three rebounds and one assist in a 110-102 loss to Houston, shooting just 22.2% from the field. Thompson bounced back against New Orleans with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists on 57.1% shooting and 50% from beyond the arc. However, his struggles returned in a 118-104 loss to Memphis, where he went scoreless in 17 minutes, adding one rebound and three assists.
When he left Golden State to go to the Mavericks, it was to play with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and be able to catch and shoot and not have to do too much. After Doncic was traded to the Lakers and Irving tore his ACL, Thompson was left in a bad spot which led to his benching.
“I’m gonna do great things,”Thompson said. “That’s coming. I know it is. I’m feeling like those first five games were hard for me to get my wind and get my legs under me. Now I’m finally feeling like myself again. And you just know as a shooter, when that ball is just effortlessly flicking off your wrist. You know big things are coming.”
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Klay Thompson played for WSU from 2008-2011 and was the 11th pick in the NBA Draft selected by the Golden State Warriors. Thompson’s jersey will soon be retired at WSU.
Isaac Jones (Detroit Pistons) –Jones did not play in the past week, as a backup big man on the Pistons, who like to get out and run against their opponents. Opportunities for Jones are small. It also does not help that Jalen Duren has been on a tear to start and has had the hot hand for the Pistons.
JULIAN CABLLERO
WSU Forward Issac Jones slams the ball into the basket during an NCAA Men’s Basketball game against Stanford, Feb 17, 2024, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, it was a mixed week for the Pro Cougs, with some making significant strides and others facing challenges on the court. Cedric Coward continued to showcase his all-around skills, while Gueye impressed with his scoring burst against the Lakers and Klay Thompson is hoping to regain his consistency after a decent week. As the season continues to go on, all the Cougs have gotten better and better.