It was an inconsistent week for Pro Cougs in the NBA as they were not able to have a complete week. When they scored they shot below 50%, when they shot the ball well they did not score more than 14 points. Here’s a recap of how they all fared.
Klay Thompson –As of late Thompson looked to have found his stroke from beyond the arc but this week his shooting struggles returned. Against the Jazz in a double overtime thriller he scored 12 points and two rebounds. Thompson shot an impressive 44% from three but it was short-lived. Against the Pistons he scored five points, one rebound and two assists on 20% shooting from three. To end the week against the 76ers he scored 10 points, one rebound and one assist on 14.3% from three. Thompson has averaged nearly 22 minutes this season but played less than 20 minutes in two of the three games. Head coach Jason Kidd has not mentioned a reasoning aside from just how the game goes.
Jaylen Wells –Thompson is not the only one who struggled shooting from deep this week as Wells struggled for the first time in a few weeks. Against the Clippers he scored 16 points, five rebounds and three assists on 20% shooting from three. To follow it up he scored 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and four steals against the Timberwolves. To end the week against the Wizards Wells laid a dud with 4 points, five rebounds, one rebound and one steal on 0% from three point and 20% from the field shooting.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Jaylen Wells hangs in the air as he shoots the ball with just one hand, Jan. 24, in Pullman, Wash.
Mouhamed Gueye –The last few weeks have been down for Gueye as Jalen Johnson has returned to the Hawks and flourished as the “man” for the Hawks. Against the Hornets he scored four points with zero assists and rebounds in 10 minutes of action. Against the Spurs he scored 4 points and four rebounds in 14 minutes. To end the week he scored 2 points and two rebounds and three blocks in 13 minutes of play-time.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye dribbles toward the basket during an NCAA basketball game against Oregon State, Feb. 16, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Cedric Coward –In two of his three games Coward shot less than 25% from beyond the arc. Against the Clippers he scored 12 points, two rebounds and two assists on 25% three point shooting. Against the Timberwolves he scored 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal on 0% shooting from three. To end off the week he scored 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal on 40% three point shooting against the Wizards. By far his best performance of the week despite the loss, Coward has slowly been fading out of the Rookie of the Year finalists as Derik Queen and Cooper Flagg have been playing absurd production wise.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedric Coward wears the basketball on his shoulders after dunking the ball, Nov. 9, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, there is tons of room for improvement but the good news is all have shown they are capable of improving. With all star weekend voting approaching it will be interesting if Thompson participates in the three point contest and if Coward makes the rookie events.