Cedric Coward (Grizzlies) –Coming off the two game road trip to Berlin and London, the Grizzlies were back at home and Coward continued his efficient play. Against the Hawks Coward finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, one block and two steals. He shot 46.7% from the floor and 60% from three. Against the Pelicans Coward had 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, one block on 45.5% shooting from the field. This week Coward was announced as one of the players in the “Rising Stars” game. Coward has had a phenomenal rookie season and is not scared of hitting a “rookie wall.”
“No, I only fear God,” Coward said.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Cedric Coward celebrates after a WSU basket, Nov. 9, in Pullman, Wash.
Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) –While Wells still struggled shooting from three his scoring numbers were high and so was his defense. Against the Hawks he scored 18 points, four rebounds and one steal on 22.2% shooting from three and 37.5% from the field. He followed up the poor shooting game with a slightly better one. Posting 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal on 33.3% three point shooting and 57.1% from the field against the Pelicans. Wells was also announced as a “Rising Star” game player. However, he will be on the sophomore team while Coward is on the freshman team.
Wells has struggled from three this season outside of a two week span a month ago, while his defense is great he is supposed to be the Grizzlies three point shooter. Wells is 15/64 (23%)
from three, he leads the Grizzlies in three point attempts a game and has been killing them with his inconsistent shooting.
BRANDON WILLMAN
Jaylen Wells rises above a defender from the elbow, Feb. 29, in Pullman, Wash
Klay Thompson (Mavericks) –The sharp shooter had a good week from beyond the arc, while his field goal shooting numbers were down. To start the week against the Knicks he had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals on 57.1% from three. Against his former team (Golden State Warriors) Thompson laid a dud with 6 points, four rebounds and one steal on 33.3% shooting from three and the field. To end the week against the Lakers he posted 6 points, three rebounds, one assists and two steals on 40% from three. This past week Thompson reached 17,000 career points, Thompson has said he will not be participating in the 3-point contest during all star weekend.
Mouhamed Gueye (Hawks) –After his elevated play after the Trae Young trade,his elevated playseems to have run out. Gueye had 2 points, three rebounds and one steal against the Bucks, the bigs for the Bucks made life tough for Gueye. Against the Grizzlies he posted 7 points, one rebound and two assists on 42.9% from the field. To end the week Gueye only played nine minutes against the Suns posting 1 point, three rebounds and one assists. The only real headline Gueye made this week was a scuffle with Ja Morant who got tied up with Gueye. This is Morant’s second time coming at a former Coug with him doing so to Thompson multiple times this season.
COLE QUINN
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye defends Oregon center N’Faly Dante during an NCAA basketball game, Feb. 19, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, it was a decent week for the Pro Cougs but needed improvement from Wells and Gueye. Thompson has been playing more consistently, but still has not hit the highs he has once before and Coward has been killing it for the Grizzlies like he has all season.