Jaime Jáquez Jr., one of two Mexican-American players in the NBA, stands out in his rookie year with the Miami Heat and looks to make an impact beyond the court.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. answered some questions in Spanish after the New Year’s game of the Miami Heat against the host LA Clippers.
It’s not often that an NBA player answers questions in Spanish. Heat rookie guard on short list of NBA players of Mexican descent. But now with a global platform, This budding star hopes to make an impact on aspiring basketball players in Mexico and Mexican Americans who dream of playing in the NBA and WNBA. and they want to grow in the game.
Mexican-American Jaime Jáquez Jr. shoots a free throw during a game between the Heat and the Hornets in December. Megan Briggs/Getty Images
“I have noticed a lot, even in college, the impact I am having on a community,” he said. Jaquez, 22, to Andscape last week. “I guess there are more now because the NBA is a much bigger league. But even in college, people would come up to me and thank me for representing something much bigger than myself…
“I didn’t come to this league thinking that I want to be the best Mexican basketball player to ever play. That wasn’t necessarily my goal. But if that happens, it will be great to be able to have an impact.”
The father and grandfather of the three-time NBA All-Star and two-time champion Mark Aguirre They were from Mexico and once considered playing for the Mexican national team, according to the Chicago Tribune. Jorge Gutiérrez, a Mexican-American, played in 47 NBA games. The NBA champion Juan Toscano-Andersonwho is Mexican-American and African-American, was hired by the Sacramento Kings after starting this season with the G League Mexico City Captains.
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But since its creation in 1946, the NBA has only had three native Mexican players. The most notable was Eduardo Najerawho averaged 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 619 games for the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets. Horacio Llamas He played in 28 games and Gustavo Ayon played in 135 games.
“Nájera was before my time, but I am aware of who he was and what he was capable of doing,” he said. Jaquez.
Jáquez was a second-team All-American during his senior year at UCLA last season after averaging 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds. He fell a few spots in the draft, perhaps because he was an older prospect. He Heat selected Jáquez with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
In a preseason poll of NBA general managers, 10% voted that Jaquez It would be the “biggest steal” of the draft. Most Miami residents are Hispanic and speak Spanish, which increased locals’ curiosity about the newcomer.
“I was at a firm [de autógrafos] in a Miami Heat store and there were people bringing Mexican flags to sign. You feel the pride in the games and people tell me: ‘Long live Mexico,'” he said. Jaquez.
Jaquez is averaging 13.7 points, fourth-best among NBA rookies, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Heat heading into Wednesday’s game against LeBron James and the host Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN Deportes, 10 pm ET). The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder scored a career-high 31 points during Miami’s 119-113 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. Jáquez has also started the last nine games for the Heat.
It is likely that forme parte del NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challengethe game that features young standouts from the NBA and G League Ignite during NBA All-Star Weekend.
“I trusted my work,” he said. Jaquez. “As long as I had the opportunity, I knew I could be successful. Then I had my chance and I took it. I wouldn’t say I was surprised. “I just trust what I can do.”
The Warriors coach, Steve Kerr said: “It’s impressive to see Jaime play. He is strong, physical and very skilled. He obviously comes with experience. “It has had a great impact.”
Toscano-Anderson said that Jaquez He could be the first player of Mexican descent to become an NBA star.
“He’s a great player,” Toscano-Anderson said of Jaquez to Andscape. “A mature player. He was ready for the NBA and Miami was the perfect place for him, based on his culture. I think playing so well and being in search [del premio de Novato del Año] increases magnitude/impact. He has more time in front of the cameras, more coverage, more support. So, it’s different. All previous Mexican players have been role players. “He has the opportunity to be more than that.”
The Heat power forward Kevin Love told Andscape: “His personality is not that of a rookie. He makes rookie mistakes on the court. But as far as his personality goes, he is one of us and blends in well with us. And with his game he has had a great impact.”
Jáquez comes from a basketball family, starting with his grandfather, Ezequiel, who played at Ventura Community College and Northern Arizona. Jaime Jáquez Sr. played at Concordia University in Irvine, California, where he met his wife Angela, who also played college basketball there. Jaquez’s sister, Gabriela, is a standout basketball player in her own right, averaging 12.7 points per game as a sophomore at UCLA..
Los Angeles Sparks scout, Evina Westbrook became the first Mexican-American selected in WNBA history in 2022 when she was drafted 21st overall by the Seattle Storm (Westbrook is also African-American). Gabriela Jáquez also has potential in the WNBA. Jáquez says Mexican basketball fans also approach her sister regularly.
“She is growing into her own basketball player, her own star. She is shining with me offstage in Los Angeles and at UCLA. “She enjoys her time and is doing well,” he said. Jaquez.
Jaquez He answered questions in Spanish after the loss to the Clippers and said he wants to speak it more fluently. She says that she has been using the Spanish learning app Duolingo to improve and that he is learning naturally living in Miami. Jáquez also plans to spend time in Mexico next offseason and has been to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancún, Baja, California and Monterrey. He added that he has had conversations about the possibility of playing for the Mexican men’s basketball team.
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Jaime Jáquez: “In the summer we will begin to have conversations with the Mexican team”
The Miami Heat player spoke about the title as best rookie of the month for December and his next steps in basketball.
“My Spanish is improving living in Miami. “I am using Spanish a lot more,” said Jáquez.. “I think it’s important. You have to understand how I was raised. My mother [que es blanca] He tried to speak Spanish. But it was more my father who spoke Spanish. Growing up, he didn’t talk to each other at home.
“Studied [español] in college and high school. I have been to Mexico. My grandparents speak Spanish. I’m going to spend some time in Mexico this summer and try to integrate and learn the language as best I can. “I plan to go to Mexico City and Guadalajara.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said that he has considered Mexico City as a possibility for expansion. The G League Capitanes are in the midst of their second season in Mexico City and play in a 22,300-seat NBA-ready arena. The NBA has been playing games in Mexico since 1992, including the Atlanta Hawks’ 120-119 victory over the Orlando Magic on November 9, 2023 in Mexico City in front of 19,986 fans.
Become an NBA star too could prove lucrative for Jáquez in Mexico, Latin America and other Spanish-speaking markets. In 2023, Mexico had the tenth largest population in the world with 128 million people. There are also 21 countries and territories where Spanish is the official language.
As the popularity of the NBA continues to grow, a Spanish-speaking star player could tap into those markets.
“That’s something my dad and I have seen for a long time, even when I was in high school,” he said. Jaquez. “Just by understanding that basketball is not as big in Latin America and South America, there is an opportunity for them to embrace the sport with the right person and with the right people. I myself know that I am having a big impact by trying to spread the game.
“It’s about the love of basketball. The more [gente] of Mexico and South America appreciate and watch the game, the more they will be able to fall in love with it like everyone else in America and Europe has done.. It is the best game in the world.”
The NBA entered the 2023-24 season with a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories. None, however, were natives of Mexico. The last native of Mexico to play in an NBA game was Ayón during the 2013-14 season..
Maybe in the future, with a stellar game, Jaquez can inspire a new generation of Mexican NBA players and fans.
“The league is becoming more and more diverse,” he said. Jaquez. “The Europeans are coming. People come from all over, from the Bahamas to Mexico and even Finland. It has become a very international sport. As the NBA grows and expands, we will see more Latin players arrive and make an impact”.
2024-01-03 17:06:00
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