This week was a successful week for Cedric Coward and Mouhamed Gueye and blunders for Klay Thompson and Jaylen Wells. With the All star break looming the next couple weeks is the last chance to make any rookie teams or the all star game for Pro Cougs.
Here is a recap:
Cedric Coward: After sustaining anankle injury in a game versus the Lakers, Coward took five days to return to the lineup. Against the Thunder he scored 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists, another near double-double for the rookie. He ended the week with a breakout game with 21 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. Coward has continued his elite level of play and almost a guaranteed lock for all rookie teams. The Grizzlies are listening totrade offers for star point guardJa Morant, if he is traded Coward would become the “guy” on the wing for the Grizzlies.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedric Coward talks with his head coach during a timeout, Nov. 27, in Pullman, Wash.
Mouhamed Gueye: In three of the four games last week Gueye saw 19+ minutes for the first time in months. Against the Raptors he scored zero points and two rebounds in three minutes. On Jan. 7, the Hawks traded star point-guardTrae Young coincidentally that is when Gueye received 31 minutes in gameplay. Against the Pelicans he scored 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and three steals. A complete dominant game from Gueye, showing he can be a viable forward for the Hawks off the bench.
Against the Nuggets he played 19 minutes but could not score and ended the game with two rebounds and one block. He ended the week with 5 points and 5 rebounds against the Warriors in 24 minutes of action. The increase of minutes could be due to the Hawks trying to increase the value of Gueye for a potential trade for star big man such asAnthony Davis orGiannis Antetokounmpo.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye dribbles toward the basket during an NCAA basketball game against Oregon State, Feb. 16, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Jaylen Wells: Over the past month Jaylen Wells was able to find his three point shooting rhythm after struggling to begin the season. However, he appears to have relapsed back to his shooting slump. Against the Spurs he had 8 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal on 28.6% three point shooting. Against the Suns he has 9 points, seven rebounds and one assist on 16.7% shooting from three. Against the Thunder he had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists on 16.7% from three once again. To end the week he had two points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal on 14.3% from the field. Shooting issues is not something you want from your two way player. On a team like the Grizzlies you have the freedom to get to your spots on the floor and score, so the shooting/scoring slump is worrisome.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Jaylen Wells rises above a defender from the elbow, Feb. 29, in Pullman, Wash
Klay Thompson: It was a mediocre week for Thompson as he laid two duds and one breakout performance. Against the Kings he had 6 points, two rebounds on 16.7% three point shooting. Against the Jazz he had 23 points, three rebounds, five assists on 54.5% three point shooting. To end the week against the Bulls he had 10 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. Thompson is a possible candidate to be traded as the Mavs are looking to get younger and build around rookie phenom Cooper Flagg.
Overall, not too bad for the Pro Cougs but definite room for improvement. If Morant is traded both Wells and Coward can become more prominent in the NBA, the two will have different paths as Coward is more favored amongst the league.