Jaime Jaquez Jr., a budding star for the Miami Heat, is prepared to make significant progress in his sophomore campaign.
He’s so hungry to get up that he’s spent all offseason getting ready to protect the best players on the other team. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward can defend many spots because of his size and his post-collegiate experience at UCLA. Jaquez’s other top goal is to get better from beyond the arc, where he made 32.2 percent of his baskets on 2.7 attempts the previous season.
“It’s definitely my three-point shooting,” Jaquez said to Anthony Pasciolla of Miami Heat On SI. “Then my ability to guard on the defensive end, being matched up with other teams best players, being able to shut them down—that’s something I’m really looking to improve on for next year.”
Though stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will have the majority of the defensive responsibility next season, Jaquez might find himself in that role by 2026. In free agency the next summer, Butler will look to extend his contract as much as possible, whether it is with the Heat or another team. With a different squad, the 23-year-old takes the top slot in their forward room if he decides to play for a championship.
Throughout his four years at UCLA, Jaquez never depended on his ability to succeed from the outside, so it’s logical that his rookie campaign was ineffective. His performance with the USA Select Team and NBA Summer League this summer has garnered plaudits, so fans shouldn’t be shocked if he suddenly becomes well-known.
Anthony Pasciolla contributes to Inside the Heat as a writer. X @AnthonyPasci is where you can follow him, or you can email him at ampasciolla@gmail.com.