Cpending accounts. That was one of the main reasons why jaime jaquez decided to put his dream of going to the NBA on hold and return to the NBA for another year. UCLA Bruins.
The Mexican was a key player in the last two seasons. In 2021, UCLA I lost in the Final Four to Gonzaga, in one of the best games in history. They returned to the Sweet 16 in 2022, one of five teams to repeat in the regional semifinals of March Madnessbut fell again to the eventual runner-up, North Carolina, in an even more painful slide for Jaquez.
“The most difficult between those two was the one from last year, the wound is fresher. I think last year, losing at the Sweet 16, we were so close (to the championship), there were so many things going for us and we fell short. We had high expectations and there was so much talk that it makes the defeat hurt more. The year before, when we reached the Final Four, we had nothing to lose. Comparndolas, la del Sweet 16 doli ms”, declared in an interview for Claro Sports.
The 21/22 season was plagued by ankle injuries for Jaquez, including one in the NCAA tournament that called into question his participation against North Carolina. He had surgery in April and works on rehab daily to be ready for the start of the season, the November 2 before Concordia University.
Jaime Jaquez overcomes his ankle operation and is ready for the Senior Year at UCLA
Jaquez admits that one of the reasons why he decided to return is because in 2022 he did not give his best version. “I’ve been working hard on my shot this offseason, he didn’t shoot as well last year, not nearly as good as he should have. I’ve been in the gym, throwing the best I can, keeping my elbow up, with a good parabola. I also work in handle the ball in the pick and roll and in my recognition in defense, try to be better in defense one on one”.
Despite injuries, Jaquez was last season among the finalists at Trofeo Julius Erving, the best small forward in the NCAA. Sample of the evolution of the Mexican, who went from not being a starter at the beginning of his rookie campaign to being one of the most recognized players in college basketball. Despite this, he maintains feet on the ground and with an eye on the target.
“I try to stay focused as much as possible and be clear about what really matters. Keep my head down, keep working and moving forward. I try to spend as much time as possible in the gym. and be the best player you can be, keep improving and prove that I am one of the best players in college basketball. The only way is to keep working hard and dedicate time to it.”
The 22/23 season for the Bruins will be different. Six players from last year’s rotation did not return to Westwood, leaving Jaquez and Tyger Campbell as the team’s veterans.
“Last year we had players with more experience and this year we have a lot of first-year players. It is a challenge for me, the coach and the veterans, the teach them the best we can and that they learn the basics of our offense and defense, that they have to adjust. This preseason has been slower than in the past, trying to get the rookies to understand everything that’s going on.”
Despite the generational change, three prospects arrive among the best 50 at the high school level who have UCLA among the top 10 favorites for the NCAA titleaccording to the odds of Betway.
“I have many expectations and goals, the same as the team. We are in tune with what we want to achieve, that is another long run in the tournament (March Madness), win the Pac 12 championship, win the conference (in the regular season) and win as many games as we can.”
