2023 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick made
2023 NBA Draft grade: No. 18 pick Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Pick Analysis. Jaime Jaquez Jr.. 18. 110. Scouting Report. UCLA. player. G
Grade: D+
The absolute most #HeatCulture pick possible, UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. is heading to Miami to join the reigning champs. The four-year senior makes sense as an experienced prospect who could feasibly contribute in year one — especially given the questions about the free agent future of Gabe Vincent in the backcourt.
Jaquez plays relentlessly hard and he’s extremely crafty off the dribble, finding unique angles to score with his in-between game. He makes the right decisions in the flow of the offense and he will understand his place within Erik Spoelstra’s system.
That said, Jaquez is a rocky 3-point shooter who projects as an exploitable defender due to his limited length and athleticism. He’s the perfect culture pick, but is he the best talent on the board? Probably not.
From our NBA Draft Big Board:
"Jaime Jaquez Jr. projects as a rock-solid role player. He doesn’t explode off the screen and he needs to get his 3-point numbers back on track, but he’s a gritty two-way player with scoring craft, a real eye for playmaking, and all the intangibles you’d expect with an accomplished four-year player."