Gawen Deangelo Wells, better known as Bonzi Wells, attended Muncie Central High School, in Muncie, Indiana. While at Central he averaged 23.6 points per game while pulling down 9.6 boards in his senior year. His team had a 24-2 record that year, while winning the North Central Conference and making it to the semi-state. Bonzi also played on several all-star teams. Bonzi Wells played his college ball for Ball State University also located in Muncie, Indiana. While at Ball State he broke the school record for career points with 2485, also breaking the MAC conference record for career points and steals. Bonzi is the only Ball State player to score 2,000 points and pull down 700 rebounds in a career. Bonzi was the 11th pick in the 1998 NBA draft, drafted by Detroit.

Bonzi played for Portland this year in the NBA. He was a key to their playoff success.