Where Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells Stand on NBA Rookie Rankings

On By Littum

LOS ANGELES — Two Memphis Grizzlies players are among the early front-runners for best rookie.

Wing Jaylen Wells and center Zach Edey ranked first and second, respectively, in The NBA’s latest KIA rookie ladder. Both players have now placed in the top three in the first two editions of the weekly rankings.

Edey’s inclusion comes as little or no surprise. The ninth overall pick and two-time collegiate National Player of the Year has been the favorite to win Rookie of the Year since before the season. He is averaging 11.2 points and a rookie-high 6.6 rebounds through 11 games.

However, Wells is turning heads. A second-round pick (39th overall) out of Washington State, Wells has jumped up the rookie rankings by taking advantage of extra playing time due to injuries along the Memphis perimeter. He is averaging 11.4 points and shooting 39.2% on 3-pointers. Both stats rank in the top three for rookies.

Wells saw the first rookie ladder ranked third and admitted it was “cool” to see his name on the list, but he doesn’t want to be too invested in chasing the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award .

“You know, I talked to my mom about this, and you know, I don’t really care anymore,” Wells told The Commercial Appeal about winning Rookie of the Year.

However, there is one exception. Wells wouldn’t mind winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award if he can help accomplish something that has only been done three times in league history.

“It would be cool to see me and Zach get it, or if Zach gets it,” he said. “I think if me and Zach make it to Memphis, that would be really cool.”

Damichael Cole is the one Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.