Memphis Grizzlies Rumors
Get a free trial The Memphis Grizzlies selected Wells with the 39th pick in the second round last month. It was the first time the second round had been nationally televised, making it an unconventional experience, much like Jaylen Wells’ journey to the league. The OBSERVER chatted with Wells at the NBA 2K25 Summer League to delve into his incredible journey to this point in his career. “I never really doubted that I’d get to this moment,” Wells said. “Obviously, going to a D-2 school out of high school and making it to the NBA didn’t seem as attainable then. But I just kept working and kept grinding.”
After graduating from Folsom High School, Wells attended Sonoma State for two impressive seasons, averaging 17.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, before transferring to Washington State. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.6 points while shooting 41.7% from three-point land. The change of colleges gave him a better opportunity to be recognized by NBA teams. “I waited till I got the spotlight, and once I got it, I shined,” Wells said. “Going to a D-1 school gave me a bigger platform, and once I got there, making it to the NBA felt more in reach.”
The moment Wells dreamed of arrived June 27. However, the long-awaited event didn’t unfold as smoothly as anticipated. NBA staff sent Wells and his family to the ESPN studio’s waiting room until his name was closer to being called. Staff came for Wells and his family as intended, but the timing was unexpected. “I got picked while walking to the hallway to get there,” Wells said with a smile. “They told me to hurry up, you’re getting drafted right now, so I dropped my water bottle, and me and my family ran down the hallway, and right when the camera turned to me, we just sat down.”
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Grizzlies add Jay Huff
Grizzlies add Jay Huff
Michael Scotto: The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a two-way contract with center Jay Huff, league sources told @hoopshype. Huff has played for the Lakers, Wizards, and Nuggets over the past three seasons. pic.twitter.com/ej7SGscj4R
Pelle Larsson broke a tie by scoring from the lane in overtime to give Miami a 120-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday and hand the Heat their first NBA summer league championship. “Coach [Dan Bisaccio] drew up a great play we’ve run in practice a bunch of times,” Larsson said. “They did a good job guarding it. We have shooters everywhere and they want to help, and I just made it.” This was the highest-scoring game in championship history and just the second one to go into overtime. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 110-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017 had the previous record for total points in the summer league final. Just the year before, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-82 in the only other final to reach OT.
Game MVP Josh Christopher led the Heat (6-0) with 24 points, Kel’el Ware had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Alondes Williams scored 21 points, Cole Swider had 19 points and Larsson finished with 16 points. Jake LaRavia led the Grizzlies (5-1) with 32 points, Scotty Pippen Jr. had 29 points and 11 assists and GG Jackson scored 28 points. Each team traded 3-pointers to force the extra session. Swider put the Heat up 113-110 with 19.6 seconds left and Jackson matched him with 10.5 seconds remaining. Miami had a chance to win in regulation, but Williams was called for a charge with 4.2 seconds left. Then Pippen missed a 3-pointer with a second to go. “[The Grizzlies] made it tough for us,” Bisaccio said. “That just speaks volumes to this team. Their willingness to fight through the adversity showed real grit, toughness and of course that competitive will.”
NBA Communications: The NBA 2K25 All-Summer League First Team: GG Jackson II, @memgrizz; Jordan Miller, @LAClippers; Scotty Pippen Jr., @memgrizz; Reed Sheppard, @HoustonRockets; Kel’el Ware, @MiamiHEAT
Evan Sidery: With the NBA set to discuss potential expansion within the next few months, conference realignment will become a discussion point. Las Vegas and Seattle are the heavy favorites, which means two current teams would be moved over to the Eastern Conference. The Grizzlies, Pelicans and Timberwolves become the most realistic options.
