21-04-2025
Memphis Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells named finalist for NBA Rookie of Year
Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells has been named a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Wells joins Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks as the three finalists. Of those three players, Wells was picked the lowest at 39th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Memphis didn't have overly high expectations for Wells entering the season. With injuries at the forward position, Wells quickly earned a starting role and became a key piece in Memphis. He averaged 10.4 points while shooting 35.2% on 3-pointers and guarding top perimeter players on most nights.
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Wells was also durable. He played in each of the Grizzlies' first 79 games before a wrist injury put a likely end to his 2024-25 season.
Ja Morant and Pau Gasol are the only Grizzlies players in franchise history to win Rookie of the Year. Both of those players were top-three picks in their respective drafts.
If Wells doesn't win the award, he's still destined to be a member of the NBA's All-rookie teams. Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III and GG Jackson are among the current Grizzlies who were named to one of the two NBA All-rookie teams.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells finalist for NBA Rookie of Year
