SEATTLE - It's not a surprise anymore seeing Jaime Jaquez Jr. look so comfortable when playing in an NBA game. The Miami Heat guard keeps on cementing his status as one of the important players in the team with every game that goes by. In his most recent game against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 26, Jaquez Jr. had another career-night, finishing with 26 points (12-17, 70% FG), three steals, two assists and five boards.
His ability to 'do-it-all' has gained the trust of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra with the Mexican-American being rewarded with almost 30 minutes of playing time, third-most among rookies.
Jaquez Jr. has gradually improved his offensive game as the season goes on. After getting single-figure points in each of his first seven games as a professional, Jaquez Jr. has gone on to score 20+ points in seven of his 51 games this season. And even when his offensive game is not going, Jaquez Jr. is a menace in the defensive side of the floor.
The 23-year-old leads all Heat players in steals this season (56) and only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren (both Rookie of the Year contenders) have a better defensive rating than Jaquez Jr. (114.5) among rookies this season.
Selected by the Miami Heat with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jaquez Jr. has more than exceeded the expectations placed on him so far. He has played 30+ minutes in 28 of the 51 games he's played in this season.
He is not shy of the big moments either. The Mexican-American recorded his first-ever NBA double-double on Christmas Day against the perennial title contenders Philadelphia 76ers, finishing the game with a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds.
After a successful NBA All-Star Break in which Jaquez Jr. participated in both the Rising Stars game and the Dunk Contest, finishing third-place in the latter, the 23-year-old rookie will look to finish off the season strong. The Heat currently sit 6th in the Eastern Conference, just less than three games behind the fourth-placed New York Knicks.
With 25 games remaining in the regular season, the Heat would need eight more wins to make it five straight seasons winning at least 40 games. It will be interesting to see Jaquez Jr,'s role in the team once the playoffs arrive. But it's fair to say that, if he continues like this, Jaquez Jr. will definitely be on the floor for Erik Spoelstra's team in clutch time.
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