SAN FRANCISCO — Jaylen Wells hasn’t had a lot time to replicate on his journey from Sonoma State to the Memphis Grizzlies, however he hasn’t forgotten how the small Bay Space school has formed his profession.
When Wells was chosen to play within the NBA Rising Stars event, he couldn’t be extra proud to symbolize Sonoma State, the place he performed two years earlier than transferring to Washington State. The 6-foot-8 ahead has been vocal in his assist for Seawolves athletes and coaches after the college introduced final month that it was going to chop the athletics division solely this summer season.
“This means everything,” Wells stated. “It’s a full-circle moment being so close to Sonoma State, being around family and being so close to home.
“… My agent was telling me that a year and a half ago, I was playing against Cal Poly Pomona, and no offense to them, but now I’m playing against Luka Dončić. It kind of puts everything in perspective.”
Wells paid homage to the Seawolves by sporting a customized pair of blue Sonoma State sneakers throughout Friday’s Rising Stars event at Chase Heart. Wells can do it once more Sunday evening in the course of the NBA All-Star event after his Staff C received the Rising Stars occasion. Wells and his squad, which incorporates the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis, will play Shaq’s OGs, who’re led by Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden and Jaylen Brown.
Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors and Staff T pulls in a unfastened ball as Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Staff C .. appears on in the course of the 2025 NBA All-Star Rising Stars Recreation at Chase Heart on Feb. 14, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Picture by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)
Wells, who scored 10 factors in Staff C’s opening win, was a standout for the Seawolves the place he received the California Collegiate Athletic Affiliation Participant of the 12 months after averaging 22.4 factors per sport in 2022-2023. He then helped Washington State attain the NCAA Event in his lone season in Pullman.
The Folsom product was drafted by Memphis within the second spherical of final 12 months’s NBA Draft. Identified for his protection and skill to attain in bunches, Wells is a key contributor for the Grizzlies as he averages 11.2 factors per sport.
Since Sonoma State introduced its intentions to chop all athletic applications as a consequence of main finances bother, Wells is aiming to shine a lightweight on the difficulty in hopes of serving to save the sports activities at his alma mater.
Wells’ star Memphis teammates Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have proven assist for Sonoma State on social media.
“It sucks,” Wells stated to the Industrial Enchantment. “I definitely wanted to go back there and just give back to help the gym, facilities, later in my career. So hopefully we can figure something out.”
