The Memphis Grizzlies seem to have a knack for finding former Division II players who can carve out starter minutes. Like his teammate Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells played two seasons of D-II basketball before transferring to Washington State. Now in his second season, he is the primary point-of-attack defender for his team, and is shooting a healthy 35 percent from the perimeter.

Wells spoke to HoopsHype exclusively recently, following a matchup against the Clippers and a practice in Los Angeles, to discuss how his second year has been going, thriving off criticism from coaches, and more.

What is the most significant difference between last year and this year?

Jaylen Wells: For me, I would say just building on the strengths I already had and just being a better defender as far as the little things, not making those rookie mistakes. So a lot of small adjustments. I have the ball in my hands a little bit more. So just being able to play, make, and create more shots.

What would you say you’ve been working to improve on the most from last year to this year?

JW: Honestly, a lot of things. Getting stronger, probably weigh about 10, 15 pounds heavier than I did last year. Having the ball in my hands, being a better playmaker, working the ball screens, being able to read the floor. and just getting a more consistent and quicker release.

You’re having a solid year so far. Did you do anything over the summer, gearing up for this season to try to avoid the sophomore slump?

JW: Yeah, I don’t really look into those types of things. Everyone’s different. You know, a lot of my confidence comes from how hard I work. So regardless if I’m missing shots or making shots, you know, I’m going to shoot the next shot with the same mindset I would make it.

When you have a bad shooting night, do you get advice from players? How do you focus on the next game and not think of that? How do you approach it?

JW: Oh yeah. I always have a next game mentality. I really don’t care if I miss a shot. You can’t really do anything about a missed shot. You can’t erase it. So you’re just always about the next play, next shot, you know, make it the next winning play. So, I know how many shots I put up. So, I feel confident. I probably shot a certain shot a million times. So, I’m confident.

Last year, at the beginning of the season, were you more reluctant? Did your teammates kind of tell you, like, hey, you need to just let it fly? Like, who talked to you about it?

JW: Oh, yeah, I mean, a lot of my confidence definitely comes from my teammates. Them being able to feed me ball. I mean, guys like Ja [Morant]. When you have guys like Ja and Jaren [Jackson] telling me to shoot it, I mean, obviously these guys have been in the league. And so just having that type of advice is definitely good. So just being able to be fed by your teammates, regardless if you’re missing or making it, you know, they’re going to tell you to shoot it again and again. So it’s definitely good to have them back you.

How has your role evolved this season compared to last?

JW: I think it’s pretty similar. Obviously, being the point-of-attack defender. So I think this year, the only difference is being more of a playmaker. Having a more like close-out opportunity to get to the basket, be able to make the extra pass, stuff like that. So I would say like, just close-out opportunities.

In terms of being that point-of-attack defender, do you pride yourself on being the guy that guards the better players on the opposing side night in and night out?

JW: Yeah, I enjoy it. I embrace it. Obviously, a big part of winning the basketball game is defense, so having to guard the best players in the big part of it, so I definitely take a lot of pride in that. It’s a fun thing to be part of my game. Obviously, there’s two sides to basketball, but that’s something that really goes into the game that I know I can impact the game the most on.

Was there a particular moment during your rookie year when you realized you were going to be a very impactful player?

JW: I mean, going in my rookie year, that was kind of a goal. I was trying to impact winning in any way possible. So whether it was being on the floor or not. So I felt like being drafted was a day I felt like I would be impactful, just because that was my mindset. I would do anything better than I can to be impactful.

What has been the toughest adjustment since you’ve been in the NBA?

JW: The toughest adjustment is probably just all the games. Playing 82 games a year, it’s a lot on the body. And obviously, having to guard the best player every single night. It’s definitely taxing on the body, so I’m keeping a good routine. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of doing that, so just keeping a good routine. and staying sane, you know, taking the positives out of games and not dwelling on all the negative sides all the time.

There will be games where you set new career highs and some where you have duds. Did you have to learn that last season about how you can’t dwell on any particular games?

JW: Yeah, there’s so many pockets of games whether they go in certain directions where you have like a hot streak of five different games, and a hot streak of five defensive good games. So there can be so many different narratives there in one season that you just gotta stay even, stay in the same spot, don’t go too high, don’t get too down on yourself. That’s what it’s like.

What’s your ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment?

JW: Oh, my welcome to the NBA moment, probably guarding Luka [Doncic]. He plays at his own pace and he’s so good. And that was my assignment. Probably fouled him a lot. And, I mean, he’s a great player and he proved it.

Who has been the most significant influence as a teammate here?

JW: Definitely Jaren. Jaren’s been a big influence. 

[Jaren]: Oh, wow. Thanks, bro. 

Yeah, you’re welcome.

You’ve been a big influence and just giving me tips on life outside of just basketball. You know, how to navigate the NBA lifestyle and things like that. So, yeah.

How do you handle criticism from coaches and fans? I know they’re very different from coaches compared to fans, but how do you kind of mentally deal with that?

JW: Oh yeah, I think it comes with the game. Criticism comes to the game, especially from fans. I mean, they have the right to voice their own opinion, as long as it’s not disrespectful. But me, personally, I can read hate comments, but I really don’t care. It’s more of a sign that you made it.

As far as criticism from coaches, I think that’s something I value. Yeah, I think that’s just, especially Tomas, he’s a very straightforward coach, so I really appreciate those types of phrases. Those types of people who can tell you what you’re doing wrong, but also at the same time tell you what you’re doing right.

What does a good game entail to you that goes beyond the box score?

JW: I get to guard the best player, so just winning the matchup against the best player. Having them under their averages, and I think making those little hustle plays. There’s a lot of opportunities in a game where you can choose to make extra effort, or you just don’t, whether you’re tired or not. So just making those extra efforts, making those extra plays, and then holding my matchup and holding them below those averages.

If I told you when you were at Washington St. a couple years ago, you would have this start to the career you’re having, what would you have said?

JW: I would believe you. But, yeah, I mean, it was definitely hard to see that I would transition to what I am now. But, I just think it goes to how hard I work and just knowing that it works. I think that’s what even motivates me even more, just knowing that I sacrifice a lot of my time, a lot of things just to get in this position. So it’s cool to see it all work out.

What goals do you see for yourself now and down the road?

JW: A lot. I’m a guy who takes it day by day, so I don’t really like to look too far into the future. But obviously, I want to win a championship in Memphis. Every season I’m going in with the mindset of a championship team, and I think we have a future to do it. So, I’m just really confident in what we have and what I’m capable of doing.