The Journey: From D-II to Draft Night – The Unbelievable Leap of Jaylen Wells
Jaylen Wells didn’t come from a blue-blood program. He wasn’t a high school phenom. And he didn’t follow the traditional roadmap to the NBA.
Instead, he took the long way — through Division II gyms, quiet weight rooms and a decision that few dared to make: to bet on himself.
In the spring of 2023, Wells made a bold leap — transferring from Division II Sonoma State to Washington State. He was leaving behind the comfort of stardom for a role he’d have to fight for, at a level few thought he could thrive in.
One year later? He was on the doorstep of the NBA.
This isn’t just a story about talent. It’s a story about trusting your work, ignoring the noise and daring to grow. It's the kind of story every young athlete, parent and coach needs to hear.
Low Point: Starting Where No One’s Watching
Wells didn’t land in Division II because of a lack of love for the game — he just didn’t get the exposure. Out of high school, he wasn’t heavily recruited and he ended up at Sonoma State, a small D-II program in California.
But instead of sulking or transferring out early, he locked in. He treated every practice, every rep, every film session like it was national television. And the results came fast.
As a sophomore, he led the California Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring and was named CCAA Player of the Year. He had the numbers. He had the confidence. But even after dominating at that level, there were still questions:
Can he do it against bigger, faster, stronger defenders? Can he produce at a Power Five school?
Lesson for Young Athletes: You don’t need the big stage to become great. You just need reps, focus and the belief that you’re building something real.
Lesson for Coaches: Sometimes the best players are hiding in plain sight. Are you watching effort as much as output? Are you looking for resilience or just résumés?
Turning Point: A Leap of Faith — to Washington State
Instead of staying put or settling, Wells made the leap. In 2023, he transferred to Washington State — stepping onto another level and betting that his game would translate.
