NBA Draft prospect Dez Wells has kept busy in recent weeks. The 23-year-old had already showcased his skills for seven other teams, most of which were on the West Coast, before working out for the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center Thursday.
Despite the drain of constant travel and extensive workouts, Wells was upbeat following his performance on the Wizards’ practice court.
“It went well. It was a lot of fun,” Wells said. “You know, competing against some of those guys out there is a lot of fun, and, you know, it felt like I was at home. So, that was good too.”
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Wells played his final three collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland in College Park, just a 25-minute drive from the Verizon Center. In addition to the proximity, Wells has a childhood friend who plays for the Wizards who adds to the feeling of familiarity.
His name is John Wall.
According to Wells, he and Wall started playing basketball together before the age of 10, and they have been close since. In high school, they were together for three seasons at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh.
Wells seemed excited about the idea of reuniting with Wall on the Wizards, but his optimism was tempered.
“John is a good friend and like a big brother to me, but it doesn’t matter where I play,” Wells said. “I just want to play in the NBA. I would love to be a teammate with John Wall, you know, but, wherever I go man, I’m just blessed and happy to be there.”
Six years have passed since Wells and Wall played together at Word of God, but the Wizards’ All-Star remained an instrumental figure in Wells’ basketball journey. Growing up alongside Wall and watching him make it to basketball’s biggest stage had a profound effect on Wells.
“It definitely makes [playing in the NBA] more realistic because you dream so much about the things that you want, but you never really know the avenues you should take or how you should get there,” Wells said.
“The best thing that has happened to me is [that] success leaves footprints,” Wells continued. “Watching the things that John did when he was playing in high school and when we were in middle school and things like that — I just keep dreaming, just kept working on my game and he kept giving me motivation by what he did on the court. And, it just, you know, it just rubbed off on me — his work ethic and his competitive spirit.”
Wells showed plenty of competitive spirit during his senior season with the Terps. He averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, leading the team to a 28-7 record and its first NCAA tournament appearance in five years. The competitive fervor he showed on the defensive side of the ball forced more NBA scouts to take a long look at Wells. The other aspect of his senior campaign that jumped out was his improvement from behind the arc.
As a junior, Wells shot 30 percent from 3-point range. That figure jumped to 51 percent his senior year. Questions still persist as to whether the 23-year-old can extend his range beyond the NBA 3-point line, but Wells was quick to remind reporters that he offers more than just shooting and defense.
“My athleticism, my strength, my ability to get to the basket, playmaking,” Wells said when asked what he would bring to an NBA team.
The progression of his defense and shooting were key to NBA scouts, but Wells is best known for his athleticism. The high-flying guard has put together an impressive reel of aggressive dunks.
Perhaps Wells’ most legendary athletic feat came against Rutgers on March 3 when he bit on an opponent’s pump fake and left his feet. Only, instead of colliding into the player and surrendering a pair of free throws, Wells jumped clear over his head, confusing him in the process and causing him to travel.
Despite everything he has going for him, there is a possibility that Wells won’t hear his name called on draft night. Generously listed at 6 foot 5, Wells is undersized at any position other than point guard in the NBA, and as of now, the position doesn’t suit him well.
“I have to work on decision-making,” Wells said. “I have to work on ball handling and all of those little things.”
Still, Wells was confident that NBA scouts and executives recognized his potential both on and off the court.
“I’m not nervous at all about job interviews. I just go in there and be myself,” Wells said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll impress those guys.”
• Dan Roth can be reached at droth@washingtontimes.com.
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