Heat grab Jaime Jaquez with No. 18 pick in 2023 NBA Draft
With the No. 18 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat have selected UCLA senior forward Jaime Jaquez.
Jaquez is coming off his best season at the collegiate level, being named a consensus second-team All-American in his final season at UCLA. He led the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament in three straight campaigns, including a Final Four in 2021.
The 22-year-old can do a little bit of everything on the court offensively, using a wide array of tricky movements to get to the basket with ease. However, questions persist about his role and athleticism at the next level.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: UCLA
College experience: Senior
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 226 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-10
Max vertical: 39 inches
2022-23 stats with UCLA
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 48.1 | 31.7 | 77.0 | 8.2 | 2.4 | 17.8 |
Strengths
- A crafty scorer who uses his feet well to get to his spots on the court. Jaquez is a big fan of the fadeaway from mid-range and spin moves at the basket, isolating from the elbow. Has a developed offensive arsenal at his disposal.
- His size and wingspan allow him to play in various lineups. Knows where to be on the court as an off-ball floor-spacer from deep, makes the right play within the flow of a game.
- Comes away with the ball as a help defender, averaging 1.5 steals in his final collegiate season.
Negatives
- Not a mobile player. Smaller and quicker players consistently beat him to the rim while he was on the perimeter. Also pounds the ball on drives to the rim as he lacks an explosive first step.
- Had one above-average shooting season at UCLA. Will need to make tangible improvements in his shot to stay on the court in the NBA.
- A slightly older potential draft pick, Jaquez will be 22 when the season starts in October.
NBA comparison: Rick Fox. A very good role player for over 13 seasons in the league, Fox was intelligent offensively and did a bit of everything on the court. Jaquez projects to be the same sort of player on the professional stage, one that's well-rounded across the board.