Jaime Jaquez Jr. has emerged as one of the top rookies this season with the Miami Heat, but his success hasn’t come without numerous challenges throughout the year.
Jaquez missed two weeks in the preseason and another 10 days last month with a hamstring injury. He sat on Sunday with an ankle injury, though has mostly been available for the Heat as a starter or a contributor on the second unit.
Speaking with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter on the “Old Man & the Three” podcast, Jaquez cited the higher competition level and improving his on-ball defense as some of his biggest adjustments this season.
The lengthy schedule, though, stands out the most to him.
I think there have been a lot of challenges, although I think those are also extremely fun. I’ll say this: I think the longevity of a season can really get to you. I remember at the beginning of the year, there was a point in time where I thought there was going to be no way in hell I was going to make it to 82 games.
To make it this far and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I know I can do this now. The sheer longevity of just game after game, back-to-backs and never really getting a break and it is always just basketball, was a big adjustment from college having just two games a week.
Jaquez is averaging 12.3 points, four rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals on 48.6% shooting from the field in 64 games. He ranks fifth in total scoring among all rookies and is one of eight first-year players with a 30-point game this season.
The 18th pick became the first Heat rookie since Dwyane Wade in 2003 to score in double figures in 13 straight games earlier this season. He is also one of five rookies in franchise history to record four 20-point games off the bench.
Jaquez projects to be a lock to make an NBA All-Rookie team after his stellar season. With his energy and scoring, he has contributed at a high level throughout the year in various roles and should be a key player in their postseason run.
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