Inside The Heat

Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Teaming With Victor Wembanyama In Rising Stars Game

The Rising Stars Challenge takes place Feb. 19 in Indianapolis
Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Teaming With Victor Wembanyama In Rising Stars Game
Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Teaming With Victor Wembanyama In Rising Stars Game

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Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez is set to team with the top player of this year's rookie draft class. 

On Tuesday, the rosters were announced for the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend. Jaquez is playing on a roster that includes No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Many have called the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama a generational player because of his combination of size, agility and perimeter game. 

Here's the full team: 

Victor Wembanyama, Spurs 

Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

 Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Jaime Jaquez. Jr., Heat 

Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder

Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards

Jaquez, who was the 18th pick in the NBA draft, has already exceeded expectations. He is averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He was near the top of the NBA rookie ladder until a groin injury slowed his progress. He has since hit a slump, but the hope is he recovers after the All-Star Break. 

Jaquez Jr. is the 11th Heat player to take part in Rising Stars. The others are Tyler Herro (2020, 2021), Precious Achiuwa (2021), Kendrick Nunn (2020), Norris Cole (2012), Michael Beasley (2009, 2010), Dwyane Wade (2004, 2005), Udonis Haslem (2004, 2005), Caron Butler (2003), Kurt Thomas (1996) and Khalid Reeves (1995).

Also taking part is guard Alondes Williams of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate. Williams broke the Skyforce franchise record by scoring 55 points against the Salt Lake City Stars Jan. 7.

Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. Named to Rising Stars Team

Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.

TWITTER: @ShandelRich

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here