With an average of 13.7 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the fourth most prolific rookie of the season behind Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller. The difference between him and the other three is that he was only drafted 18th overall in 2023.
Another point that differs between the Miami rookie and the trio made up of the Frenchman, the Thunder interior and the third choice of the last Draft is their past before the NBA. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has indeed spent four seasons at UCLA, a rare length of time in recent years, and it is not insignificant.
“It helped me learn to win, to play fair”confides the Heat player for Yahoo Sports. “What I learned from coach Mick Cronin is what it takes to win and knowing when to make the right choices. This then translates when you arrive at a franchise that seeks to win right away. »
Erik Spoelstra confirms this. “He understood our way of playing. He's still trying to figure things out, learning the trends of the league. But from a competitive spirit point of view, it fits perfectly with the way we do things.”notes the Florida coach.
One of the few to complete his course
The four years of university helped shape this player, who arrived in Miami at the age of 22, after improving his points average each season in the NCAA. Moreover, only three other players have such college experience in the first round of the 2023 Draft: Marcus Sasser (25th), Ben Sheppard (26th) and Kobe Brown (30th).
“He had milestones in his career at UCLA,” continues Erik Spoelstra. “In today’s NBA, no one wants to experience that. Now, if you're not the first option in your first year, and you're a big prospect, you either transfer or go to the Draft. You don't develop toughness or learn to accept a role like Jaime did. He had a different path that we respect. »
Mick Cronin, his coach at the university, observed his rise in power, ending with a season averaging 17.8 points. He is therefore not surprised to see him shine in the NBA. ” I'm not surprised “, assures his former coach. “I tried to give him confidence because he waited, he let his game evolve, he prepared. He's unlike any other rookie. He was ready from day one. »
A confidence that now makes the difference at the highest level. “The most important thing I learned is to keep playing with confidence,” explains Jaime Jaquez Jr. “When you have a team that constantly gives you that confidence, it’s a lot easier to go out on the field, play and have confidence in yourself. »
| Jaime Jaquez, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 31 | 29 | 51.4 | 38.0 | 84.7 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 13.8 |
| Total | 31 | 29 | 51.4 | 38.0 | 84.7 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 13.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
