UCLA Basketball: Former Bruin Secures Massive NBA Rookie Achievement

He's a serious ROY contender in a loaded class.

Rookie Miami Heat swingman Jaime Jaquez, a former All-Pac-12 standout with your UCLA Bruins, has emerged as one of the best players from among this season's rookie draft class.

The Heat have revealed that Jaquez is just the fourth rookie player ever to connect on 55.5% field goal shooting from two-point land on over 200 field goal tries as well as 38.1% from long range on 50 or more attempts.

His 1.0 points scored per drive ranks tops among all rookies this year. His 261 fourth quarter minutes (and remember, he is currently a reserve) ranks most among all rookies. His 1.7 points scored per post-up is the most in the entire NBA for players who've had 25 or more post-ups. 

His six games played with 15 or more points and 4.4 drive points per bout both rank third among all rookies, behind only Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. His four rim looks per bout rank him fourth.

This year, Jaquez is averaging is averaging 13.1 points on .505/.381/.839 shooting splits, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 dimes and one steal a night. That he's also a key contributor on a frisky, very visible playoff contender (Miami is 17-12, and seems like it has the assets for a trade that could improve the club's postseason chances) certainly improves his visibility as a near-lock to join the All-Rookie First Team. The 6'6" wing was drafted with the No. 18 pick this past summer, which in retrospect feels pretty darn low.