This unique Jaime Jaquez Jr. ability led to instrumental ‘bounce-back year’ with Heat

Despite being linked to trade rumors for the majority of the season, Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. kept his chin up, tuned out the noise, and did his job.

The result? A bounce-back year for the third-year player. Although the Heat failed to advance to the playoffs after suffering a painful loss to the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament, Jaquez showed that he could be a regular fixture in South Beach.

Jaquez averaged career-highs of 15.4 points, 50.7% field goals, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 28.3 minutes off the bench—significant leaps from his second season, wherein he experienced the so-called sophomore slump.

Jaquez’s improved play did not go unnoticed with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who singled out a key facet in the hard-nosed forward’s game, as reported by Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.

“He had a great bounce-back year. He went to work last summer and then came back and had such an impactful season for us. He’s one of our most important players in terms of his ability to get into the paint and create things for us. I love the way he improved his passing as well,” said Spoelstra.

Spoelstra has always loved utilizing versatile players with size, and the 25-year-old Jaquez fits the mold.

He earned his minutes despite the Heat’s loaded wing rotation, which also includes Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Nikola Jovic, and Simone Fontecchio.

His laudable campaign could earn him a few votes for Sixth Man of the Year, although Jaquez was modest about his chances.

The former UCLA star tallied 13 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in a valiant effort against the Hornets on Tuesday.

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