Wells finds summer work with Rockets
Published 12:04 pm Friday, July 5, 2024
- McNeese State Cowboys guard Shahada Wells (13) runs the offense against College of Biblical Studies at McNeese H&HP Complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Kirk Meche)
When Shahada Wells came to McNeese just over a year ago, he was looking for a chance to show off his skills.
After four seasons of limited playing time, the guard wanted to see if he could fit in a bigger role.
He did more than that, becoming the Southland Conference’s Player of the Year and leading the Cowboys to a 30-4 season that included a league title and NCAA tournament appearance.
After his one season at McNeese, Wells will get his chance at an even higher level.
This week he signed to play for the Houston Rockets Summer Team, which is scheduled to play four games starting on July 12 in Las Vegas. Three of the four games will be broadcast on one of the ESPN networks with the fourth to be carried by NBA TV.
There are four NBA Summer Leagues, two in California, one in Salt Lake City and the biggest in Las Vegas.
“I’ve always just wanted my chance to play,” said Wells. “That’s all you can ever ask for is an opportunity to show what you can do and get your chance.”
Wells made the most of his chance at McNeese, as he led in the conference in steals at 2.9 a game. That was good for second in the nation.
He also averaged 17.2 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field.
“I have coached a lot of very, very good players, but I have never had my best player, my best leader, and my harder worker until I have had him,” McNeese head coach Will Wade said. “Until we had him I have never been able to say that. It’s the biggest compliment I can give anyone.”
Last year the Rockets got a good look at Wells and the Cowboys when they practiced at the Legacy Center during the start of their training camp.
While the odds are long for Wells when it comes to the NBA he could position himself in the G League. The Rockets’ G League team is called the Rio Grande Valley Vapers.
He could also get noticed at end up in Europe, like several other McNeese players including Patrick Richard, who has made a nice career playing overseas.
Another player from last year’s team, center Antovion Collum, has signed to play in Japan.
