UCLA Basketball: Why Mike Cronin Believes Jaime Jaquez Jr. Will Thrive In Miami

Looks like a perfect fit!

One of the best feelings a college head coach could ever have is seeing one of their most loyal and hardest-working players reach their ultimate goal and hear their name called in the middle of the NBA Draft. Jaime Jaquez will now be wearing a different uniform other than a Bruins one officially for the first time in years and few are happier for him than Mike Cronin.

Cronin got the firsthand experience of watching Jaquez go from a polished freshman guard that could use a little more bounce to one of the best floor generals and leaders in the country. Seeing how he picked apart defenses and played with his back to the basket as comfortable as ever was truly remarkable and he became the coach on the floor for UCLA.

And now that he will be playing under the likes of Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley in Miami, he will be able to carry the same demeanor he has for so long and grow under one of the most respected programs in all of sports. Jaquez could have declared for the draft numerous times but stuck to the path that was laid out for him and he will now be able to eventually suit up with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and so many other marquee names,

Cronin has never doubted Jaquez's ability and that isn't changing now as he explained why he knows he'll thrive with the Heat.

“Jaquez also left a strong impression on his UCLA coaches during his four-year college career …”

Read more, as @CoachMickCronin caught up with the Miami Herald (@HeraldSports).

📰 💻: https://t.co/NgevPcfseN pic.twitter.com/2qF4lidFze

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) June 28, 2023

He's the most reliable guy I've ever coached. Every day in practice and every game, there's never a no show in him. You don't ever have to worry about his effort and you don't ever have to worry about his attitude."

We cannot wait to see him hit the court today against the Lakers!