Erik Spoelstra On Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s Time In College: "He Had A Different Kind Of Path That We Respect"

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra recently spoke high praise of rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s journey to the NBA

It's no secret that Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is one of the most impressive rookies in the class.

However, he took an unconvential route to the league. Jaquez spent four years at UCLA before declaring for the NBA draft. The majority of prospects enter their names into the draft after one season in college or overseas.

“There were stages to his career at UCLA over four years," Spoelstra told Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek. "In this current NBA society, nobody really wants that. Right now, if you’re not a No. 1 option as a freshman & you’re a 5-star recruit, you’re either transferring or you’re declaring. You’re not really developing any kind of grit or learning a role or embracing a role the way Jaime did. He had a different kind of path that we respect.”

This likely played a substantial role in why Miami selected Jaquez over players like Cam Whitmore, who played one season at Villanova. Jaquez is averaging 13.7 points in 32 appearances, while Whitmore is averaging 6.6 points in seven games. Whitmore has spent time with the Houston Rockets G League affiliate team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

His time at UCLA is now playing a major part in his early success. Jaquez's patience and readiness have allowed him to consistently take part in crucial moments of the fourth quarter.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat.

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