With an average of 11.9 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has established himself as one of the best rookies of last season. To the point of even being invited by the American federation to join the Select Team, like Cooper Flag, in order to prepare the NBA stars before the Paris Olympic Games, during the Team USA training camp.
The Heat winger also stayed in Las Vegas after these few days with LeBron James, Stephen Curry and company. For his vacation? No, to participate in two Summer League matches. But why?
“There is nothing better than playing in a match. It is unbeatable.”, he answers. “All the work you do in the gym doesn’t count if you can’t translate it into games. Being with Team USA and then in Summer League is about playing games. I’m happy to be able to do that.”
Obviously, Jaime Jaquez Jr. didn't have much trouble shining, with 26 points on average on 58% shooting and 43% on 3-pointers.
“I wanted to work on my game and other things: leadership, speaking up in attack and defense, or during rallies. That's why I came here.”he confirms.
The latter has worked a lot on his 3-point shooting since the start of the offseason, with assistant coach Eric Glass, to improve his 32% success in this area during his first season. In particular by working on his legs and the placement of his hands.
“He's obsessed with work and detail and that's something he really wanted to improve on. I'm pleased with his progress.”confirms Heat Summer League coach Dan Bisaccio.
| Jaime Jaquez, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 75 | 28 | 48.9 | 32.2 | 81.1 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 11.9 |
| Total | 75 | 28 | 48.9 | 32.2 | 81.1 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 11.9 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
