Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward have overtaken Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson as the best Coug duo in pro sports. “Mr. Consistent” Mouhamed Gueye turned into “Mr. Backup” with Jalen Johnson returning to the lineup. Klay Thompson is still shooting lights out. Here is a breakdown of how all the NBA Cougs performed this week:
Mouhamed Gueye (Hawks) –Gueye only played in three games last week due to an injury and the NBA Cup tournament. Jalen Johnson is back for the Hawks and he has been killing it, which sends Gueye back to the bench. Gueye had four points and one rebound in nine minutes against the Wizards. Against the Pistons, he had his best game with 8 points, two rebounds and one block in 17 minutes. To finish off the week he had 1 point, one block, one rebound and one steal in 11 minutes. It was not an ideal week for Gueye, finishing with what Charles Barkley would call “a triple single.”
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye defends Oregon center N’Faly Dante during an NCAA basketball game, Feb. 19, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) –The Grizzlies and their lack of NBA Cup tournament success limited them to just one game last week. However, star point guard Ja Morant was back in the lineup, and Wells benefited significantly due to the gravity Morant demands. Against the Jazz, he had 19 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal on 50% 3-point shooting. The Grizzlies sit at 11-14 and just got their backcourt back for the first time all season. Although they lost, the trio of Wells, Morant and Coward will be entertaining.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Jaylen Wells shoots a corner three, March 2, in Pullman, Wash.
Klay Thompson (Mavericks) – In the Mavericks’ lone game last week against the Nets, Thompson got to business. In 20 minutes, Thompson had 12 points, two rebounds and two assists on 42.9% 3-point shooting. Since Nov. 14, Thompson has shot below 35% only three times. For comparison, he shot below 35% three times in two weeks to start the season. Thompson’s success correlates to the timeline he started dating Megan Thee Stallion, making many speculate about her impact on his game. Thompson is known for being a boring and simple guy but the rap artist has given him some swagger on and off the court.
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.
Cedric Coward (Grizzlies) –In his lone game, Coward dropped his weekly double-double, even as some wondered how his role would diminish with Morant back. However, it is elevated with more opportunities and spacing. Coward finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, nearing a triple-double. Coward may not win Rookie of the Year with how Dallas’s Cooper Flagg has been balling all season but his season thus far has been amazing.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedric Coward celebrates after a WSU basket, Nov. 9, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, it was a great week for the Cougs. Gameplay was limited due to the NBA Cup but in the opportunities they had, they showed out. With All-Star and Rising Star voting beginning in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see if the WSU products can land some spots.