REST ASSURED COUGAR FANS, a meteoric rise to the heights of the NBA hasn't changed Jaylen Wells. In a weekend phone conversation from his parents' home in Sacramento the Washington State product is as unpretentious and gracious as ever.
"Definitely did not expect to have this big of a role so early," Wells said of his 74 starts and the 25.9 minutes he averaged in 79 regular-season games his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
"Even the Grizzlies GM and head coach said themselves, they expected me to be in the G-League the whole year. I took the spot, I fought for the spot, and I earned it. So they were willing to give it to me. Shout out to them, because they allowed a rookie to take that role."
Seventy hours after his interview with Cougfan.com, Wells was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team, becoming the first second-round draft pick to earn such plaudits since 2020, and the second-ever Coug, along with Klay Thompson in 2012, so named.