Miami Heat’s Surprising 2023 NBA Finals Run Leads to Drafting UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Heat's Head Coach Erik Spoelstra Talks About Top Draft Pick's Potential
In a surprising turn of events, the Miami Heat, fresh from an astonishing journey to the 2023 NBA Finals, found themselves in a favorable draft position. Their choice: the former UCLA Bruins standout, Jaime Jaquez Jr., snagged with the coveted No. 18 pick.
In an exclusive conversation with Brian Windhorst of ESPN, taking place during a Team USA practice session, Erik Spoelstra, the head coach of the Heat, opened up about the team’s prized draft pick for this year. Hailing from Camarillo, CA, this 6’6″ swingman, who displayed his prowess on the UCLA courts, caught everyone’s attention. Jaquez Jr.’s impressive four-year journey with the Bruins earned him numerous accolades. A three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, he secured spots in both Pac-12 All-Defense and All-Pac-12 Tourney teams twice. Notably, he received recognition as a one-time NCAA All-Region selection. His achievements didn’t stop there—he was also selected as a consensus second-team All-American and crowned the Pac-12 Player of the Year during his senior year.
“We’re excited,” Spoelstra said of Jaquez. “He’s a guy that you can plug and play right now. He’s a little bit older, he has a great deal of experience.”
Throughout the 2022-23 season, Jaquez Jr. participated in 37 games, starting in all of them. His impressive stats showcased his skills: an average of 21.4 points with shooting percentages of .481 field goals, .317 three-pointers, and .770 free throws. Adding to his contributions, he averaged 9.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per match.
While his chances of winning the Rookie of the Year award might not be overwhelming, Jaquez Jr. possesses the potential to make a notable impact. His athleticism and size as a substantial wing player could be a much-needed asset for the Heat’s bench. However, a fascinating twist might be in the cards as well—there’s speculation that he could become part of a trade package involving Damian Lillard, the All-NBA point guard from the Portland Trail Blazers. The future holds exciting possibilities for this rising star in the world of professional basketball.
