The rookie of the year hype train continues with the Memphis Grizzlies' rookie tandem of Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells. After starting 16 of the team's 21 games this season ahead of tonight's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Jaylen Wells has earned the Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for November.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells and Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November. pic.twitter.com/VEcHG9n3QK
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 3, 2024
Although Zach Edey has been sidelined with an ankle injury in the Grizzlies' last six games, he earned a nominee for the accomplishment as well. The Grizzlies' rookie tandem has also swapped roles as Zach Edey began the season as the starting center but operated as a reserve, and was more effective in that role in his last five games before the injury.
Jaylen Wells began the season in a reserve role before injuries to Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart provided him the opportunity to start, first at shooting guard then small forward. He is averaging 13.5 points as a starter and shooting 41% from three as a starter while being tasked with guarding the opposing team's best perimeter option.
He kept the starting nod over the returning Marcus Smart while playing in the same mold as him as the defensive anchor for the starting unit. Smart's willingness to accept the role and allow Wells to blossom while coming off the bench speaks volumes about how Wells is received by his teammates, and their belief in his ability to contribute to a team with championship aspirations.
Having a veteran to mentor you like Marcus Smart, who has made it to the NBA Finals as a starter and has been one for the last couple of seasons bolds well for Wells' development for the rest of this season and beyond. Wells has taken advantage of an opportunity with the team's early season injuries to their wing position and ran with it.
Along with Bane and Smart's early season injuries, players like Luke Kennard, GG Jackson, and Vince Williams Jr. were out when the season began as well, paving the way for Wells to steal the show and help the team stay afloat. The 6'8" rookie second-round draft pick from Washington State knows how to play within his role.
He does what is told of him and produces on a nightly basis with a team that believes it can win the Western Conference. While Wells' rise has been surprising to the public eye, his value to the Grizzlies was always meant to be expedited after the team signed him to an outright standard contract after drafting him.