Jaime Jaquez Jr. continues to be the favorite as Sixth Man of the Year

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is holding steady as the favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year award for the Miami Heat. Jaquez Jr. started the season off of the board and has quickly rose to become the favorite to take home the award. On the season he is averaging 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He is doing so on 51.2% shooting from the field in 29.2 minutes of play per night. The Heat currently sit in the 6th spot in the East at 14-11 and have done better than expectations set for them. Jaquez Jr. has stated he is not worried about the race though and says he just wants to win.

Jaquez Jr. who starred at UCLA from 2019-2023 went in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. It was seen as an intriguing pic because scouts did not know what position he would play. Some said he was too slow to be a small forward and too small to be a power forward. Leaving him in limbo and being considered a tweener position. His game is showing he took that personally and wants to prove people wrong. Pairing with another former UCLA star in Norman Powell to lead the Heat.

Jaquez Jr. could soon be joined by his sister Gabriela Jaquez as a professional basketball player. Gabriela is playing amazing basketball for UCLA this season. She is quickly rising up WNBA mock drafts. Jaime has always been a huge supporter of his sister, and they come from a very athletic family. Both Jaime and Gabriela were apart of UCLA Final Four teams.

There is still a lot of basketball left to be played. But if Jaime can continue this pace. He could add to a long list of Bruins who have accolades in the NBA. Sixth men are very important to NBA teams. They come off the bench but will play starters minutes. Jaime has helped keep the Heat afloat while Tyler Herro was out with injury. Along with Powell it is cool to see UCLA alums thriving for the Heat. Let’s hope he can finish this off and bring home that award!