Miami Heat sophomore player Jaime Jaquez Jr. exceeded rookie expectations last season, ending the year as a standout piece for the team’s future. As the new NBA season draws nearer, Jaquez Jr. will look to improve even more and make the organization that drafted him proud.
Miami Heat Sophomore Should Make Miami Proud This Season
Jaquez Jr. Expecting Big Things From Himself
Jaquez Jr., a Miami Heat sophomore and 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie Team selection has expectations ahead of him for the upcoming NBA campaign. The 23-year-old did a little more than what most expected of him in his rookie rollout year. Granted, Miami’s roster struggled with injuries to key players from beginning to end. However, all that did was open the window for Jaquez to show his skills.
Jaquez played an outstanding first year and carried a certain level of responsibility. Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra entrusted him early on as a player to lean on. As the season progressed, Jaquez quickly adapted and found comfort in his game as he teeter-tottered from starting games to coming off the bench. Spoelstra referenced his trust in Jaquez numerous times throughout the year, showing confidence in the young player when the Heat needed someone to step in and produce.
The off-season is almost fully behind him, and training camp opens this month. Jaquez took the summer to work on certain things that will only assist him further as an NBA player. It’s fair to say that expectations have grown.
Off-Season Grind & Shot Development
The Miami Heat sophomore took the off-season as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop. Jaquez was in attendance at Team USA‘s Olympic training camp in Las Vegas. He participated in drills and scrimmages and went up against the NBA’s (and the world’s) best of the best. Hanging around veterans like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry must have had some impact. It would be hard to believe that Jaquez left Vegas without some extended knowledge and education to become better and rise higher as a young, talented player.
Jaquez also pinpointed an area of his game that needed work—shooting the three. Last season, Jaquez shot 32.2% from long distance and 48.9% from the floor overall. Recognizing the three-point shot as an element to work on is an intelligent move for the sophomore player. Miami is a low-scoring team and had trouble keeping pace with better teams. If Jaquez can up his three-point accuracy to about 35% this season, that’s quite the improvement. As gifted as he is driving to the rim and shooting midrange shots, integrating a solid three-point shot will add to his value.
Miami’s Expectations for Jaquez Should Exceed Those Of Last Season
What the Heat need as a team the most is general health and availability from their most important players. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Terry Rozier all missed significant time last season. Considering how the Heat sophomore stepped in last year, Jaquez should be expected to fill that role if called upon in a similar fashion. He should also be expected to produce at a high level even if Miami is swimming in health. Whether Jaquez starts the season off the bench or as a starter, his off-season improvements and experience should lend to an even better player.
