Jaime Jaquez Jr., a rookie for the Miami Heat, is pleased that the Los Angeles Lakers did not draft him.
Jaquez Jr. wanted to get away from California and try something different because he was raised there and attended UCLA.
Jaquez Jr. stated, “I wanted to get away,” according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I believe that it was crucial for me to be able to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new for myself. I didn’t want to be the kind of guy who lived his entire life in Southern California. I desired to move to a new and different place. That’s the reason I was ecstatic to visit Miami. It was fresh. Though I believe it to be very, very different, everyone compares it.
In the 2023 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Indiana native Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick. Jaquez Jr., meanwhile, signed with the Heat, who were ranked 18th overall.
Jaquez Jr., who is averaging 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Heat in 32 games, was a huge mistake for the Lakers to pass on. Hood-Schifino’s season total of games played is just seven. Just 2.6 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists are his averages.
Jaquez Jr. has a field goal percentage of 50.6%, a three-point percentage of 36.5%, and a free-throw percentage of 85.7%. When he plays, the Heat are 19-13 and he has recorded one double-double.
Points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, total points, total assists, total steals, total steals per game, and field goals all rank fourth for rookies, respectively, for Jaquez Jr.
