It’s been an impressive opening season for Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells.
Wells is one of the few rookies who is making a strong impression on his teammates and fans, and that’s due to years of him living and breathing basketball.
Speaking with Michael Scotto, per NBACentral, Wells opened up about the guards who influenced him the most growing up.
Wells said he patterns his game after both Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, two guards he greatly admires.
Wells said:
“Growing up, Dwyane Wade was my favorite player. I used to be a smaller guard, so that’s where that came from. I liked his game on both sides of the floor as a smaller guard doing things that made him play like a bigger guard. A current guard that I like is Jimmy Butler. I feel like his game is very simple, and that’s kind of the player I am. I do simple things and whatever it’s going to take to win. That’s the kind of player he is. He has that winning mentality, and he plays both sides of the floor.”
Jaylen Wells says he patterns his game after Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler
“Growing up, Dwyane Wade was my favorite player. I used to be a smaller guard, so that’s where that came from. I liked his game on both sides of the floor as a smaller guard doing things that made him… pic.twitter.com/1fSFdAVypV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 12, 2024
Wells isn’t the only young, up-and-coming basketball player who is taking a page out of Wade and Butler’s books.
Those two stars have made quite a mark on this generation of NBA rookies, and there is good reason for that.
As noted by Wells, Wade did a lot during his career even though he was a little smaller than his opponents and other guards in the league.
And Butler plays a “simple” form of basketball, according to Wells, which is a good thing.
Well is obviously influenced in the right ways because his rookie season has had some standout performances.
He is posting an average of 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and is shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
He has started in 20 of his 25 games this season, and it’s obvious that the Grizzlies like what they see from him.
NEXT: Stats Show NBA Team With Highest Scoring Bench This Season
