Jaylen Hands never quite found his footing in the NBA, but don’t let that fool you-his basketball journey is far from a cautionary tale. It’s a story of adaptation, resilience, and finding stardom on his own terms.
After two seasons with UCLA, where he flashed his trademark explosiveness and court vision, Hands entered the 2019 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite the promise, his NBA dream never materialized-he didn’t log a single minute in the league.
Instead, he spent time in the G-League with the Long Island Nets, where he averaged 11.3 points and 3.5 assists in 2019. It was a respectable showing, but not quite enough to break through in a league that can be unforgiving to young guards trying to find their niche.
So Hands did what many talented players have done before him-he took his game overseas. And that decision is paying off in a big way.
Now in his fifth season playing internationally, Hands has become a force. He’s suited up in 102 games across multiple leagues, averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per contest.
Those numbers only tell part of the story, though. The real headline is what he’s doing right now in China with the Nanjing Tongxi Monkey Kings.
In his most recent outing, Hands exploded for 43 points-on just 18 shot attempts. That’s not just scoring; that’s surgical efficiency.
And he did it while facing double and even triple teams. It was the kind of performance that makes you stop scrolling and watch the highlights twice.
This isn’t just a hot streak either. Through nine games with Nanjing this season, Hands is putting up 23.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.
He’s leading his team in scoring and doing it with the kind of flair and control that made him a standout at UCLA. The bounce is still there.
The shot is sharper. And the confidence?
It's sky-high.
If you’re looking for the blueprint on how to turn a detour into a destination, Hands is writing it in real time. His best full season came in 2024 with Varese in Italy’s top league, where he averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds over 30 games. That was a breakout campaign, but the way things are trending, this season in the CBA could top it.
What Hands is proving-night after night-is that the NBA isn’t the only stage where great basketball happens. For players like him, who may not have found the right fit stateside, the global game offers a second wind, and sometimes, a bigger spotlight.
Jaylen Hands might not be making headlines in the U.S., but overseas, he’s becoming a star. And if he keeps torching defenses the way he did in that 43-point outburst, the basketball world-no matter the time zone-is going to keep watching.