“Marcus has been huge for me": Jaylen Wells on Marcus Smart's mentorship, ROTY aspirations, and more (Exclusive)
Few rookies are thrust into the spotlight as quickly as Jaylen Wells has been this season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Yet, the 6-foot-7 forward has embraced the challenge with composure and versatility, becoming a key contributor on a team navigating injuries and lineup changes.
Through 24 games, Wells has averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists—numbers that rise to 12.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in his 19 starts. His ability to adapt quickly to the NBA’s demands has cemented his role as a dependable 3-and-D wing for Memphis.
Recognized as the NBA's Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November, Wells is the first Grizzlies player to receive the honor since Ja Morant in the 2019-20 season. However, while Wells and his family were excited about the honor, the focus remained on playing winning basketball.
“[My mom] texted me right after and said, ‘Please, please, please focus on winning,’” Wells told Sportskeeda. “I care about this award, but me and you, we both care about winning. That was the first text I got after the announcement, and it really stuck with me.”
Jaylen Wells is rising to the Challenge
Wells has drawn praise for his defensive impact. He is often tasked with guarding the league’s elite players, from LeBron James and Tyrese Haliburton to Luka Dončić and Stephen Curry. The rookie has shown he can make life difficult for the best of the best.
“It’s not often a rookie comes in and is asked to guard the other team’s best players, but he’s stepped up,” Ja Morant told Sportskeeda. “He makes shots tougher for opponents, knocks down threes, and creates for others. He’s having a great rookie season on both ends of the floor.”
Fellow forward Jaren Jackson Jr. echoed that sentiment, noting Wells’ poise under pressure and describing his rookie teammate as having a rare "steady" presence.
“He’s been big-time for us,” Jackson told Sportskeeda. “Defensively, he’s taking on tough matchups, and offensively, he’s finding ways to contribute. He’s steady on both ends, and that’s rare for a rookie.”
Wells credits his ability to stay composed to a “next-play” mentality, a mindset he says has been with him throughout his basketball journey.
“I feel like I never really get too high or too low in a game,” Wells told Sportskeeda. “It’s just about staying even-keeled, both on and off the court. Coaches have always emphasized that to me, which I take pride in.”
For Wells, the defensive challenges have been significant learning opportunities. He's been trusted to take on the most challenging perimeter assignments throughout games, requiring him to learn quickly and adapt. It's a challenge he embraces, with the mindset of making elite players have to work.
“There are a lot of learning moments,” Wells said. “Defensively, I’m focusing on being physical without fouling. That was my biggest hurdle early on. Some of the top players don’t want to work hard for the full 48 minutes, so I try to make it as tough as possible for them. I’ve gotten better at it as the season has gone on.”
Learning from the Best
Wells has leaned heavily on the mentorship of veteran teammates Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane to navigate the transition to the NBA. Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, has been instrumental in helping Wells refine his defensive approach.
“Marcus has been huge for me,” Wells told Sportskeeda. “He talks to me during walkthroughs, in the locker room, and on the court. He’s always giving me tips, whether it’s about tendencies or how to play tough without fouling. Watching how he sets the tone defensively has taught me a lot.”
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins also highlighted Smart’s role, emphasizing how Smart's physical techniques without fouling are invaluable for Wells to integrate into his approach.
“Marcus has done an unbelievable job mentoring Jaylen," Jenkins told Sportskeeda. "He’s full of knowledge and experience, helping him understand tendencies, maintain physicality, and disrupt plays. You’re starting to see that influence in Jaylen’s game.”
Desmond Bane has guided Wells’ development, particularly on the offensive end. Bane, a dynamic off-ball player who has expanded his game to be a creator, sees similar traits emerging in his rookie teammate.
“He’s been steady on both ends of the floor—knocking down shots, getting to the basket, and guarding the other team’s best players,” Bane told Sportskeeda. “He’s having a hell of a rookie year, for sure.”
Beyond offering advice, Bane has become a model for Wells as the rookie works to expand his offensive game as an off-ball threat. Wells has closely studied Bane’s ability to attack the basket and finish through contact, viewing it as the next evolution of his skill set.
“I like the way he attacks the basket,” Wells told Sportskeeda. “Obviously, he’s a really good shooter. But I think that’s also the next step for my game—just being really good at attacking the basket. He’s really physical and strong. He’s not as tall as me, but he’s able to finish with the best of them. Watching how he attacks has taught me a lot.”
ROTY contender thriving in Memphis’ system
Offensively, Wells has grown into his role as a floor spacer and secondary scorer. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions has helped him thrive alongside playmakers like Morant and Bane.
“I think this offense has helped me grow as a passer and a scorer,” Wells told Sportskeeda. “We have a lot of movement, so it’s about learning my teammates’ tendencies and making the right reads. The more I’ve played, the more confident I’ve become in those areas.”
Wells credits his dedication to studying film as a critical tool for improving his game. He emphasized the importance of being willing to try things when he's on the court and learn from what happens, whether in the short term, it's for better or worse, knowing it'll pay off in the future.
“I think a lot of it is watching my own film—watching the mistakes I made and watching when I do things right,” Wells shared with Sportskeeda. “Then just going out there and trying it. You can’t really get better if you’re not trying it. So, when I have the opportunity in the game, I’m going to try and finish at the basket.”
Wells has prioritized improving his ball-handling to expand his offensive versatility as he takes on more on-ball responsibilities. This could become a greater focal point later in his career as he continues to grow in the Grizzlies' offense.
“I’m really focused on becoming a better ball handler,” Wells detailed to Sportskeeda. “I’m finding the ball in my hands a lot more, and I’m working on attacking the basket more. It’s about being physical at the rim and learning how to finish against shot blockers.”
Jaylen Wells has a promising future
Wells’ emergence as a reliable two-way player has been a much-needed boost for the Grizzlies. His defensive intensity, offensive efficiency, and willingness to learn have already made him integral to the team’s success.
“He’s just getting started,” Jenkins told Sportskeeda. “The Rookie of the Month award is a great honor, but we know he has the potential to achieve so much more. It’s our job to keep pushing him to reach those heights.”
For Wells, the Rookie of the Month accolade is just the beginning. As he continues to grow under the guidance of his teammates and coaching staff, the Grizzlies are banking on him to be a significant piece of their future. So far, Wells has shown he’s ready to meet the moment.
At the time of writing, Jaylen Wells is ranked 4th on Sportskeeda's Rookie of the Year rankings.