The Memphis Grizzlies are hoping to return to playing competitive basketball after an injury-riddled 2023-24 season kept them out of Playoff contention. The team has added young stars to the franchise this offseason, including rookie Jaylen Wells. Grizzlies veteran John Konchar shared a hilarious story at media day where he tricked Wells into taking a picture with him like a fan without realizing they’re teammates.
John Konchar: “I’m just like, ‘I’m going to go up to him – I’ve never met him yet; I wasn’t in Las Vegas or anything – and ask him for a picture and see if he recognizes me. I go up to him, and I’m like, ‘I’m John and I’m a huge Grizzlies fan. Can I please take a picture with you?’ I shook his hand and everything, so my girlfriend was behind me, taking the picture. I’m like, ‘Dude, I appreciate it. Good luck this season.’ Then, we just walk away.”
Jaylen Wells: “I thought he was a big Grizzlies fan, and I have a picture. I took the picture, and I walked around the corner. The cashier came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who you just took a picture with?’ I’m like, ‘He told me his name was John.’ He was like, ‘No, that is your teammate, John Konchar.’ I was like, ‘That makes sense. That makes a lot of sense.’ It was slightly awkward when we took the picture. Like, something was up. Now, it makes sense.”
Best story of media day – JOHN KONCHAR meeting rookie Jaylen Wells at the market and asking him for a picture 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/w0cygBEdtd
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) September 30, 2024
Not recognizing your teammate is hilarious. Konchar isn’t a household name, averaging 4.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season, but he’s among the veterans on the Grizzlies roster and a valued player by the franchise. This also shows how even-keel Konchar is, not affected by the rookie not recognizing him, as he didn’t even correct him at the time.
Wells was the 39th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, coming to the NBA after playing three seasons of college basketball, last representing the Washington State Cougars. He averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in his junior season.
The 6’8″ small forward played Division I basketball for just one season, working his way up from Division II, and is one of the biggest success stories of the 2024 Draft. He went from Division II to the NBA in the span of a year-and-a-half, and now promises to be a versatile win-now component for the Grizzlies.
Konchar is 28 years old, and entering his fifth season in the NBA. While he hasn’t played big minutes at any stage in his career, he’s proving to be a very valuable locker room piece who will be on the roster unless he’s a complete non-factor on the court.
At least he’s already built a rapport with Wells, with the youngster hopefully learning from Konchar’s NBA experience so far as he’s carved out a solid career despite going undrafted in the 2019 Draft.
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