UCLA Basketball: Why Jaime Jaquez Was Happy A Hometown Team Didn't Draft Him

Jaquez just wanted something different with his life.

Former UCLA Bruins forward Jamie Jaquez Jr. has been one of the better stories of the new NBA season. He has thrived with the Miami Heat and has become one of their more consistent role players.

He is proving why the Heat took him in the first round of the NBA Draft, and it has been great to see. Jaquez Jr. led the Bruins for years, and now he is showing what he can do in the NBA.

The rookie opened up about his time in the league so far, even going as far as to say that he was happy one of the hometown teams didn't draft him. 

“I was ready to get out — I didn’t want to stay in Los Angeles my whole life,” Jaquez, who starred at Camarillo High before coming to UCLA, told The Times. “I wanted to go out and experience a new part of the world. I mean, Miami is a part of America, but it doesn’t feel like it when you’re there and it’s really cool to be able to experience something new, live in a new city by myself.”

Per Jamie Jaquez Jr. via The LA Times

Jaquez Jr. simply wanted to experience something different in life. Many people feel this way, but he got his wish and is now on the other side of the country. 

“It was awesome, man, just to be able to see another side of everybody beyond basketball,” Jaquez said, “and I think that’s what separates the Miami Heat from a lot of other organizations is that off-court camaraderie that we have.”

Per Jamie Jaquez Jr. via The LA Times

He could always make his way back to Los Angeles at some point during his career, so he is getting the experience he wanted. The former UCLA standout is making his mark within the league, and fans are excited to continue watching him grow.