By Mark Haynes | OBSERVER Correspondent
LAS VEGAS – Young basketball players in every corner of the globe imagine the thrilling experience of having their names called in the NBA draft. For many, this dream remains just that. But for Sacramento native Jaylen Wells, that dream became a reality.
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 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.”
It was a moment Wells will always treasure, and he feels fortunate to be able to share it with his loved ones. Following his draft and visit to meet the press in Memphis, it was time to begin his journey as a professional basketball player. And that started in Utah.
After struggling a game before his matchup with Jared McCain, another Sacramento native who was drafted 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, Wells had a breakout game with a surprising ending. He scored 27 points and made the winning floater after securing an offensive rebound.
“It was so weird how it happened,” Wells said. “The ball just perfectly bounced to me and I was able to get a shot up. It was cool because my family was there and I celebrated with them right in the tunnel. That made it really cool.”
Wells finds great joy in representing Sacramento and cherishes the opportunity to share the NBA stage with McCain. The pair attended middle school together and played basketball together for years.
“It’s cool to see the different paths we took to make it here,” Wells said of them being in the same draft class. “We took different paths, but both ended up being successful.”
Wells is aware of his role and how he can be integrated into and make a difference on his new team. Key factors will be his ability to spread the floor with efficient shooting and to disrupt on defense. The 20-year-old is eager for the opportunity to assist Memphis in any way needed.
It has been only a short while since Wells joined the Grizzlies, so he hasn’t met all his new teammates. However, Wells said his star teammate Ja Morant was the first to contact and welcome him to the squad via text.
“I didn’t have his number, so it was crazy when I read the message,” Wells said. “At the end of the message, he put dash-12, not Ja. At first, I was like, who the heck is 12? Then it clicked.”
Now, Wells has set new goals and aspirations for which to strive. Despite the challenges, he is determined to be ready for obstacles or remarkable opportunities. Wells also looks forward to the day the Grizzlies face the Kings in his hometown.
“I know I’ll have a lot of extra tickets to get when we play there,” Wells said. “My college teammate Isaac Jones is on the Kings, too. So it will be a really amazing experience.”