Pro Cougs NBA: Thompson finds his swagger and Gueye rides the pine

**Cougs Making Waves in the NBA: Weekly Performance Breakdown**

Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward have firmly established themselves as the best Coug duo in professional sports, surpassing Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson. Meanwhile, Mouhamed Gueye, once dubbed “Mr. Consistent,” has shifted to more of a “Mr. Backup” role with Jalen Johnson’s return to the lineup. And of course, Klay Thompson continues to light up the scoreboard with his stellar shooting.

Here’s a detailed look at how all the NBA Cougs performed this past week:

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### Mouhamed Gueye (Atlanta Hawks)

Gueye’s action was limited last week, playing in only three games due to an injury and the NBA Cup tournament. With Jalen Johnson back and performing well for the Hawks, Gueye’s minutes have understandably decreased, pushing him back to the bench.

– Against the Washington Wizards, Gueye logged 9 minutes, scoring 4 points and grabbing 1 rebound.
– In the match versus the Detroit Pistons, he had his best outing with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block in 17 minutes.
– Closing out the week, he contributed 1 point, 1 block, 1 rebound, and 1 steal in 11 minutes.

It wasn’t the most ideal week for Gueye, finishing with what Charles Barkley might call “a triple single.” Despite limited impact, he remains a solid contributor when on the floor.

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### Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)

Due to the Grizzlies’ early exit from the NBA Cup tournament, Wells only saw action in one game last week. However, star point guard Ja Morant’s return to the lineup greatly benefited Wells, as Morant’s presence on the court demands significant defensive attention.

– Against the Utah Jazz, Wells impressed with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal, shooting an efficient 50% from beyond the arc.

The Grizzlies currently sit at a 11-14 record and have finally reunited their backcourt for the first time this season. Although the team lost the game, the dynamic trio of Wells, Morant, and Coward looks promising and should provide plenty of entertainment going forward.

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### Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks)

In the Mavericks’ lone game last week against the Brooklyn Nets, Thompson was in top form.

– Playing 20 minutes, he scored 12 points, added 2 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 42.9% from three-point range.

Since November 14, Thompson has only shot below 35% on three-point attempts three times, a marked improvement compared to the start of the season where that happened three times in just two weeks.

Interestingly, Thompson’s shooting upswing coincides with his relationship with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, sparking speculation about the positive impact she has on his game. Known for his straightforward and quiet personality, Thompson has undoubtedly gained some added swagger both on and off the court.

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### Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

Coward also appeared in a single game last week but made a big impact, posting a near triple-double despite initial questions about how his role might change with Morant’s return.

– He finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Coward’s role appears to be elevated, benefiting from more opportunities and better spacing on the floor. While he may not be favored to win Rookie of the Year this season—thanks to standout performances by Dallas’ Cooper Flagg—Coward’s contributions have been impressive.

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### Looking Ahead

Overall, it was a strong week for the Cougs. Although gameplay was somewhat limited due to the NBA Cup tournament, the players made the most of their opportunities to shine.

With All-Star and Rising Star voting set to begin soon, it will be exciting to see if these WSU products can secure spots and continue making an impact in the league. Stay tuned for more updates on their performances as the season progresses!
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