Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. Coming Alive for Surging Miami Heat

After a slow-ish start to the season, Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. is slowing getting more and more comfortable in the NBA. And it’s already helping the team make their playoff push.

An essential four-year starter at UCLA, Jaquez rose through the draft ranks extremely late in the 2023 cycle, eventually being selected at No. 18. He no doubt had an illustrious collegiate career, but to that point hadn't been thought of as an outright professional prospect.

Now, in the early stretch of his rookie season, Jaquez is proving he’s that and more, averaging 9.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 50% overall in his first seven games. All in just around 22 minutes per game.

In his last four contests, Jaquez is averaging 14.8 points while shooting 53% from the field and 39% from three, essentially becoming a vital part of the offense with four narrow Heat wins in those games.

Most recently, the former Bruin put together a 17-point outing versus the Hornets.

As he creeps up on 23 years old in his initial season, there’s a chance Jaquez isn’t going to drastically get better as a prospect. But he’ll unquestionably continue to get more and more comfortable in the big leagues, an equally scary thought for the rest of the NBA.

For now, Jaquez will look to continue to assimilate himself with the Heat, who currently stand in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-4. The rookie will look to continue his hot streak against the Brooklyn Nets at 6:30 p.m. CT today.