UCLA Men’s Basketball: Ex-Bruin NBA Rookie Learning Quickly From New Teammates

Set for a reserve role with his new squad.

Former UCLA Bruins All-Pac-12 star wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. was drafted by the Miami Heat this summer after the team's inspired run to the 2023 NBA Finals. 

The Bruins alum is now focused on playing alongside veterans who are already teaching him a lot in training camp. 

Miami lost some significant pieces to their championship roster in the summer, but Jaquez's introduction to the team hopes to be a good one. 

Veterans Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo headline the recent Eastern Conference champions but many Heat fans didn't know if their new rookie would be part of the equation. 

Many rumors around former Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard had him joining the Heat this summer with Jaquez being a key piece the other way back to the Trail Blazers. 

Such hopes died when the Bucks swooped in out of nowhere to acquire Lillard and left the Heat empty-handed without Portland's all-time leading scorer or Bradley Beal. 

Tyler Herro as the main piece of the presumed deal didn't attract Blazers GM Joe Cronin enough to part ways with his franchise cornerstone and thus Miami will go forward with who they have. 

Part of that nucleus includes Jaquez and his impressive skillset before he's even played an NBA game. 

A strong post player and gritty defender during his time at UCLA, the 18th overall pick this summer will have a shot at significant minutes for his new team.

Though he was unable to capture a national title during his collegiate career the Heat saw enough in the Bruin to give him a chance on their roster. 

Without trade distractions or any other outside noise, Jaquez looks ready to contribute right away on one of the NBA's best teams. 

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