In his second NBA season, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has faced a tough road, losing his regular spot in the Miami Heat playoff rotation and seeing a dip in his production. He didn't hide that it was frustrating.
After a strong rookie season that earned him a key spot in the Miami Heat rotation, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has hit a tougher stretch in his sophomore NBA campaign.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
| Team: |
Miami Heat |
| Position: | SG, SF |
| Age: | 24 |
| Height: | 198 cm |
| Weight: | 102 kg |
| Birth place: | California, United States of America |
Now, when he was outside of the Heat’s playoff rotation during their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jaquez faced a new kind of adversity, watching from the bench.
The young forward opened up about the mental and emotional adjustment in an interview with The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, admitting it hasn’t been easy to sit during big moments.
"Obviously, it’s frustrating as a competitor. As a player, you want to be in the game playing. But seasons come with ups and downs, Jaquez Jr. stated. "I think more than anything, you take it as a learning experience."
"It will help you grow as a player and as a person to go through adversity like this. If you make it out to the other side, then you’re going to see what you become," he added.
Injuries and illness have also played a role in disrupting his momentum. Still, Jaquez is taking the right approach, focusing on what he can control and viewing this tough stretch as an opportunity for growth.
"There’s going to be struggles throughout your career. You don’t want to shy away from those. Obviously, there have been a lot of ups and downs with some bad luck with some illnesses, and then obviously getting hurt," the 24-year-old said.
"But I think it’s given me a great opportunity to just learn, learn a lot about myself and about the game, and take this time to just continue to work on my craft, work on my routine, and continue to get better as a professional."
This season, Jaquez averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. These stats, as well as his shooting percentage (46.1%), are lower than his rookie season numbers.
In his rookie year, he scored 11.9 points, grabbed 3.8 rebounds, and dished 2.6 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field.
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