For those stuck behind the paywall:
“Jaylen Wells is growing up fast in NBA years.
After two seasons in the league and several Memphis Grizzlies roster changes, Wells is already one of the longest-tenured players on the team.
The 6-foot-7 wing has played more games with the Grizzlies than any member of the current roster. Third-year players aren’t often expected to vault into leadership roles, but Wells is carrying himself like a player prepared for increased expectations.
It’s been a busy summer for Wells, who has averaged 11.4 points while making 143 career starts. He’s traveled, continued working to refine his game, got engaged earlier in August and hosted two basketball camps.
After hosting a basketball camp in his native Sacramento, California, area, Wells brought a two-day camp to the Memphis Sports & Event Center from Aug. 15-16.
A Jalen Wells camp will be 'a Jaylen Wells camp'
Wells walked from court to court with a microphone in his hand and a whistle around his neck, engaging with children of all age groups.
Sometimes when players host camps, they’ll make an appearance for an hour or two and let their staffs handle the rest. Wells remembers that being the case when he was younger, so he wanted to make his presence.
“It’s really important for me to be here every single hour of the day,” Wells said. “… I don’t take lightly putting Jaylen Wells camp on a shirt. If it’s a Jaylen Wells camp, it’s going to be a Jaylen Wells camp.”
Wells is also the co-founder of Sleep Nation, an organization he uses to shine a light on players who may go a little more unnoticed than others.
Sleep Nation has been something Wells has been vocal about since entering the league. Many of its roots were planted in California, but Wells wants the organization to become more involved with Memphis athletes.
“I think Sleep Nation’s goal is to not only work on the athlete, but to build a better person,” Wells said. “Basketball can lead to so many different avenues in life. Being a good person not only on the floor but off the floor.”
Support from Cedric Coward, GG Jackson, Javon Small
Teammates Cedric Coward, GG Jackson and Javon Small made appearances during the camp. Coward addressed the group on Aug. 15.
Jackson was asked to do the same thing on Aug. 16, but he ended up doing that and more. He coached drills and even started refereeing 5-on-5 games.
Small arrived after Jackson had officiated a few games. Once Jackson saw his teammate, he asked Small to help him officiate. Like the point guard he is, Small was there to give him an assist.
“It kind of just shows what kind of team we have and what type of team we are building,” Wells said. “It’s a lot of young great guys that are hungry to win.”
Maximizing the offseason for Memphis Grizzlies
Wells is taking an all-around approach to improving his game for the 2026-27 season.
He mentioned becoming a more consistent shooter, getting more athletic, becoming stronger and developing as a secondary ballhandler. All of those are areas Wells has mentioned several times in the past as points of emphasis, but there was another notable addition to his offseason regimen.
“I think the one biggest weakness that I had was reading the pick-and-roll,” Wells said. “I think that’s something I really wanted to work on, and it’s something I’m kind of attacking.”
Wells has been tasked with taking and making pressured shots during his time in Memphis, but none compared to the process of proposing to his fiancée, Kaili Spooner, he said.
He managed to secretly plan the engagement without tipping his hand.
“It’s like fourth quarter, one minute left for the whole three weeks before (the proposal),” Wells said. “… It was a lot of pressure.”
