PULLMAN, Wash. – Former Washington State men's basketball student-athlete and Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells was named to the NBA 2025 All-Rookie First Team, the Association announced Tuesday. Wells became the second Cougar in program history to earn NBA All-Rookie honors after Klay Thompson was named to the 2012 All-Rookie First Team in his first season with the Golden State Warriors.
 
Wells was drafted by Memphis in the second round as the No. 39 overall pick, becoming the 18th Coug drafted in the top-60. During his rookie season, Wells claimed a starting spot, averaging 10.4 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.
 
The Sacramento native finished seventh in NBA rookie scoring, shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from beyond the arc. Wells played all 79 regular season games before an injury ended his season before the playoffs began.
 
Prior to his draft selection, Wells spent one season at Washington State, guiding the 2023-24 Cougars to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. The then-junior earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition after averaging 12.2 points per game, improving in Conference play to 14.6 points per game. Wells scored in double figures 21 times, including 14-straight through Pac-12 play.
 
Wells led the Cougs to their win at No. 4 Arizona, Feb. 22, 2024, securing the best road win in WSU program history, with a career-high 27 points, including an iconic game-tying 3-pointer and ensuing free throw for the win.
 
Wells became the third Coug drafted in the last four years, joining CJ Elleby who was drafted No. 46 overall by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2020 NBA Draft and Gueye at No. 39 in the 2023 Draft. Wells was the 10th Coug to be drafted inside the top 40.