UCLA Basketball: Former Bruin Jaime Jaquez Lands Another Huge NBA Honor

Jaime Jaquez continues to showcase his elite skills at the NBA level.

Jaime Jaquez left the UCLA Bruins for the NBA in 2023, and he has been nothing short of spectacular. The rookie sensation has been wheeling and dealing on the court professionally, leading to a huge honor. 

Back to back like he’s on the cover of Lethal Weapon! ⁣
⁣
Another @Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for @jaquez_jr. Congrats, Jaime! pic.twitter.com/sLcWojKjTs

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2024

Jaquez is now the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for the NBA. What makes this feat even more impressive is that this is his second consecutive ROTM honor. 

Jaquez averaged 16.1 points per game for the month, which is the third-highest among rookie players. He also racked up 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 48.1 percent shooting in the month of December. 

Christmas day was a huge one for Jaquez, as he secured 31 points against the 76ers, making it the seventh-highest from a rookie on Christmas in the history of the NBA. He was also 11-of-15 on shooting during that game. 

Many pundits believed that Victor Wenbayama from the San Antonio Spurs would be the player to run away with ROTY, but Jaquez has been making a case for himself every month since the season began. 

Jaquez recently praised his time with the UCLA Bruins, explaining that it was the tutelage of head coach Mick Cronin that has made him so successful. Cronin instilled the importance of paying attention to the little things, and it has helped Jaquez's game tremendously. 

We are unsure if he is a lock for ROTY, but he has been impressive throughout his campaign thus far.