Pro Cougs in the NBA had an up and down week but the Coug of the week was Cedric Coward, who has been the most consistent all season. Mouhamed Gueye and Klay Thompson saw changes in their minutes and both have room for improvement. Here’s a recap of how they all fared.
Cedric Coward (Grizzlies) – He was as solid as ever for the Grizzlies this past week totaling double digit points and over four rebounds per game. Cowards’ Robin role to Ja Morant’s Batman has been a success so far albeit a small sample size. Against the Thunder he had 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one block on 50% shooting from three. He followed the strong performance with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal on 60% three point shooting against the Bucks. To finish off the week against the Wizards he had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists on 0% shooting from three. The one part of Coward’s shooting that’s been down all season is field goal shooting, he cannot seem to get above 50%. He will go on good stretches but then a two week hiatus before he goes back to shooting well.
Cedric Coward wears the basketball on his shoulders after dunking the ball, Nov. 9, in Pullman, Wash.
Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) – After multiple games of 0% three point shooting, Wells returned shooting 50% multiple times from three. Against the Thunder he had 12 points, four rebounds, one block and three steals. Against the Jazz he scored 12 points, one rebounds four assists, one block and four steals on 50% three point shooting. Against the Bucks he had 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal on 50% three point shooting. To cap off the week he had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Wells has been on fire in three out of the four last weeks, he has shown some stability at the three-and-D position for the Grizzlies.
Jaylen Wells celebrates during an NCAA men’s basketball game against USC, Mar. 1, 2024, in Pullman, Wash.
Klay Thompson (Mavericks) – It was a tough week for Thompson as his minutes diminished last week and then ramped up this week, hopeful to show Jason Kidd he deserves more minutes he did not fully deliver. Against the Pelicans he started off hot with 20 points, five rebounds and one assist on 41% three point shooting. He struggled from the free throw line, weirdly shooting 33% from the line. In his return to the Bay against the Warriors he had seven points, two rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal on 25% three point shooting. To finish off the week against the Kings he had 14 points, five rebounds and one block/steal. He has to find a way to show he can be consistent on both ends of the floor. With the trade deadline approaching and rumors of the Mavericks looking to trade star Anthony Davis, Thompson could be an added in piece in a potential trade.
Former WSU basketball player and current NBA player Klay Thompson signs various items after the WSU vs OSU game Saturday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum.
Mouhamed Gueye (Hawks) – Gueye has had an up-hill battle for minutes since Jalen Johnson came back but he saw a season low with just 12 minutes played total last week between two games. In 11 minutes against the Heat he had four points, five rebounds and three personal fouls. In his next outing against the Knicks he registered one minute and did nothing in the game.
WSU forward Mouhamed Gueye drives to the hoop during an NCAA basketball game against UW, Feb. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, it was a tough week for the Cougs but the Coug tandem of Coward and Wells showed some flashes of becoming a solid duo for the Grizzlies.