Former Folsom High School and Washington State star Jaylen Wells rising in NBA mock drafts

A former Folsom High School star who helped Washington State make a long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament could be on the verge of fulfilling his dream with the 2024 NBA draft fast approaching.

Jaylen Wells, the 2021 Sacramento Bee Player of the Year, has improved his draft stock considerably since receiving a last-minute invitation to the NBA combine in Chicago. After being overlooked in the past, Wells now seems to have a legitimate chance of being chosen when the draft is held next Wednesday and Thursday.

A number of analysts now have Wells projected as a late second-round pick. His name has shown up in several of the most recent mock drafts following a “great experience” at the combine and weeks of pre-draft workouts across the country.

Wells, 20, is a 6-foot-6 ½, 206-pound small forward who has flourished since entering high school as a 5-6 freshman. He averaged 26.0 points per game as a senior at Folsom before going on to Sonoma State.

Wells was a Division II All-American after averaging 22.1 points and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore at Sonoma State. He demonstrated remarkable efficiency, shooting 59.1% from the field, 57.1% from 3-point range and 90% at the free-throw line.

Wells then transferred to Washington State, where he averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds as a junior last season. Wells played a key role as the third-leading scorer for the Cougars, who went 25-10 overall and finished second in the Pac-12 Conference before earning an at-large bid to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Wells shot 41.7% from 3-point range on 4.9 attempts per game at Washington State. He also shot 81.4% at the free-throw line.

Yahoo Sports has Wells going to the Orlando Magic with the 47^th pick in the draft. Bleacher Report has him going to the Indiana Pacers with the 50^th pick.

Tankathon.com has Wells going to the Washington Wizards at No. 51 while NBADraft.net has him going to the Detroit Pistons at No. 54. The Ringer has him going to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 58.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman writes: “From Division II to Washington State and the NBA combine, Jaylen Wells has become a second-round name for teams to consider. Scouts have started to picture a shotmaking specialist with his wing size and outstanding spot-up and pull-up shooting accuracy.”

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor noted that Wells has shades of Washington Wizards small forward Corey Kispert as a “shooter who has made a late surge to position himself for a chance in the pros.”

O’Connor added: “Because of his knockdown shooting ability, Wells fits the profile of the role players the Mavericks have surrounded Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with.”