UCLA Basketball: Watch Highlights From Ex-Bruin Jaime Jaquez's Career-High Vs Sixers
The Miami Heat know a thing or two about developing players.
For as excellent as they are in that department, they might be even better at identifying athletes who fit their culture perfectly.
Though we're roughly a third of the way through the 2023-24 NBA season, there's no denying the fact that the selection of Jaime Jaquez Jr. out of UCLA was a home run this past summer. He was stunningly chosen outside of the lottery, with the No. 18 pick.
Take Christmas Day for example. With Jimmy Butler sidelined due to injury, Jaquez Jr. was inserted into the starting lineup in a nationally televised game versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
Putting the team on his back, Jaquez Jr. set career highs with 31 points (11-of-15 from the field) and 10 rebounds in the 119-113 victory. For good measure, Jaquez Jr. had two steals and went 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
As stated above, he became only one of five rookies to ever put up a 30-10 game on Christmas Day. The others include Patrick Ewing, Walt Bellamy, Oscar Robertson, and Wilt Chamberlain. Talk about some serious company.
As you can see in the clip above, Jaquez Jr. hearkened back to his college days in Westwood with a plethora of moves. He scored in every which way possible. The constant with his array of skills is his footwork.
For such a young player, he's already among the best in the NBA with his ability to pump fake, evade defenders, and score in traffic. Jaquez Jr. has the footwork of a 10-year post player. His quickness off the floor -- both when finishing in the paint and securing rebounds -- is much more explosive than people realize (until they play him, of course).
There's also a calmness to his game. Jaquez Jr. is clinical in knowing how to attack the opposition. He never seems rushed, and his ability to patiently look for his spots makes him an excellent fit for this franchise.
Jaquez Jr. clearly deserves a ton of credit for working himself into one of the best rookies in the NBA. Dating back to his days at Camarillo High School in Ventura County, he was a grinder.
This work ethic paired beautifully with the style of play implemented at UCLA by Mick Cronin. A true match made in heaven, Jaquez Jr. was often referred to as Cronin's spirit animal. You know, the type of player truly emblematic of everything Cronin stood for as a head coach. In essence, the truest extension of a head coach on the floor.
Now in the NBA, Jaquez Jr. is functioning in a similar role -- this time with the perfect franchise geared toward maximizing his potential. As he continues to flourish in his rookie year, the big moments from Jaquez Jr. will likely be coming fast and furiously.
