Washington State's Jaylen Wells declares for NBA Draft, will retain NCAA eligibility

Jaylen Wells, a sharpshooting 6-foot-8 wing from Washington State, has informed League Him that he will declare for the 2024 NBA Draft while retaining his college eligibility. Wells shared, "The NBA is a dream that many players have, and I’m blessed to be a part of that small percentage with an opportunity to achieve it. What I value about my journey is that I walked my own path."

Wells is coming off a remarkably efficient junior season for the Cougars, averaging 12.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 41.7% from beyond the arc and ranking in the 99th percentile nationally out of spot-ups per Synergy Sports. This followed an accomplished run at division-two program Sonoma State, where Wells was named an All-American and completed one of the most successful offensive seasons in school history, leading the league in scoring with 22.1 points per game and tying for first in rebounding with 8.7 boards per contest.

Wells emphasized his unconventional journey, stating, "I wasn’t playing on circuit teams, I wasn’t ranked, I wasn’t D1 out of high school and that was perfectly fine. It’s not about where you start, it’s about where you finish, and I am nowhere near finished. I may not have had a traditional journey but that’s what built me into the player I am.”

Looking forward, Wells expressed excitement, saying, "These next 2 to 3 months will probably be the most physically and mentally challenging months of my life, but it will also be the most fun because I get to play the game I love and chase the dream I’ve had since a little kid."