Fresh off avoiding four losses in a five-game stretch after their come-from-behind victory against the Phoenix Suns last night, the Memphis Grizzlies hold on to the West's number two seed with the tiebreaker over the Denver Nuggets. Their starting rookies played huge roles in the game against the Suns as Jaylen Wells played with the clutch lineup and Zach Edey held his own against the Suns big man combo of Bol Bol and Nick Richards.
Since the last rankings before the All-Star break, Edey and Wells enjoyed their time at NBA All-Star weekend, with three games played during that weekend. They were members of the winning team at Rising Stars and participated in the All-Star game on Sunday, which wasn't well received by a certain veteran NBA player and former All-Star.
However, this marked the seventh time in franchise history that two rookies represented the Grizzlies in the Rising Stars Challenge. The other sets of rookies include: Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke in 2019 - 2020; Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo in 2008 - 2009; Mike Conley and Juan Carlos Navarro in 2007 - 2008; Gordan Giricek and Drew Gooden in 2002 - 2003; Pau Gasol and Shane Battier in 2001 - 2002; and Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Roy Rogers in 1996 - 1997 (Vancouver Grizzlies).
While they remain behind San Antonio Spurs guard and Rising Stars MVP Stephon Castle, the Grizzlies rookie tandem remains on his tail in the new rankings.
Jaylen Wells is 2nd and Zach Edey is 3rd
For the third consecutive week of the Kia Rookie Ladder rankings, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells have been ranked second and third. This marks the second consecutive week that they have swapped positioning and for good reason.
Zach Edey hasn't scored in double figures since the Grizzlies' February 5th game at the Toronto Raptors but has had limited opportunity, only averaging 4.5 field goal attempts since that game. If you included that game, he only had five five field goal attempts but made all of them to get over the double-digit scoring mark.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Wells has found his touch again post-All-Star break scoring at least 14 points in four out of their last five games. He has averaged 15 points and 3.8 rebounds, 54.2% shooting overall, and 44.8% from three since the last rookie ladder released before the last game before the All-Star break at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Donovan Mitchell with a ton of praise of Jaylen Wells: “For a second-round rookie [to face] guys like myself, Dame, Book, Ant, Steph, he's on the [scouting] report. That's a lot of respect to him. He's kind of made himself a staple over there.”
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) February 25, 2025
Exclusive feature on Wells below👇 pic.twitter.com/31Vb6j2MU9
Both players continue to contribute in more ways outside of the points column as Wells continues to be a defensive enforcer, even receiving compliments from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Meanwhile, Zach Edey continues to be an enforcer for the team whenever drama with opposing teams ensues while rebounding at a high level while on the court (8.5 rebounds in their last four games).