I made it clear to him that it was my dream to reach the NBA, and he and my mom couldnt have been more supportive of it. LOS ANGELES -- Gabriela Jaquez's biggest fan entered Pauley Pavilion on a Saturday afternoon with a couple of his buddies. Senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. banked in a short jumper and made a layup amid a sea of bodies to help the No. But he can do it.". While a . Freshman guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has Mexican heritage on his father's side and spent time competing with Team Mexico at the Pan American Games in the summer of 2019. The animated . McClendon has already helped by providing another practice body thats allowed UCLA to enhance the full-court press thats worked so effectively the last two games. Everything was a downer from there, Jordan Adams breaking his foot in the Pac-12 tournament and coach Ben Howland getting fired after . UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) pose for a picture after the UCLA Bruins beat the Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. I loved how creative you could get with it. Ezequiel would go on to play basketball at Ventura Community College before transferring to Northern Arizona. Armando Bacot (North Carolina) Theres so much opportunity and with NIL, theres so much potential. Oscar Tschiebwe (Kentucky) (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah center Keba Keita, left, and UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. watch the ball get away during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. But his focus was solely on the freshman forward on the floor for UCLA. I think of all of the AAU games and practices they drove me to throughout California, and all of the hours they put in. Whats the best piece of advice you have ever gotten? Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Hes an All-American and a guy thats going to play in the NBA for 10-12 years, so its not a surprise, UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA) Our transition has gotten a lot better. UCLA has been in the Top 10 for the last month and further upward mobility will probably depend on one of the top three losing this weekend. All rights reserved. Jaquez, who was UCLAs only effective offensive player in the second half, made a 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining to seal the win just moments after Campbell made one of his own from the corner. Jaquez, who was UCLAs only effective offensive player in the second half, made a 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining to seal the win just moments after Campbell made a 3 from the corner. Get the latest local and national sports headlines deliveredto your inbox every morning. Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! They were some things tonight hes got to do better, but he really sparked us on the offensive end, Smith said. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. No pseudonyms or partial With the exception of Senior Night later that season, he's been there ever since. Our ball movement in the first half was as good as its been since Ive been here side to side, Cronin said. Joe Kent's Reel Report every evening. Plan your fishing trips with Capt. Thats why I wear No. anything. ICYMI is a weekly newsletter highlighting stories from the past week. During the Mexican Revolution from 1910 to 1920, a few battles were fought in the Mexican towns just across the border from Arizonan border settlements. They were some things tonight hes got to do better, but he really sparked us on the offensive end, Smith said. Game time between UCLA and Arizona is set for 7 p.m. (PT). (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA guard David Singleton passes the ball away from Utah guard Jaxon Brenchley (5) during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. My dad was extremely supportive of my dream, and he knew that I was better than the average Joe just by watching me in little league reg games. Jaquez quickly became integral to the Bruins' success, helping guide his team to seven NCAA Tournament wins over the last two seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2021. But their father had no interest in joining the nationwide trend whereby many top players leave their local schools in favor of private or prep schools. Saunders, who only had three points in all of conference play coming into the game, brought a new element of speed to the Utes but made some mistakes characteristic of seldom-used players. A lot of people in Mexico would love to see someone else in the NBA. We would get up and head to the park to play basketball, then when lunchtime came we would always hit Taco Bell. Jaime Jaquez Jr. helps No. Create a password that only you will remember. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Now were selling out games.. Thats huge to me and really is something that I want to make happen. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah guard Marco Anthony drives against UCLA guard Dylan Andrews during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. "To be on the mound where legends have been and do that was so, so cool," Jaquez said. How did you fall in love with basketball? This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half and Tyger Campbell added 18 to lift No. "And I started to appreciate it a lot more.". (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA forward Adem Bona dunks over Utah center Keba Keita, left, as Utah forward Bostyn Holt looks on during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 23 points as No. Things like that. Even with their scoring drought, the Bruins took care of the ball with only six turnovers, marking the 27th of 28 games this season they have less giveaways than their opponent. Marcos is there now too. Theyre a major set play team, so if we dont let them run their sets, we just thought they were going to be lost and not know what to do.. Gabriela, the co-MVP of last year's McDonald's All-American game, is averaging 6.7 PPG for the women's squad, which is currently projected as a 6-seed in the NCAA tournament. We all knew each other and spent a ton of time together. Ive gotten a lot of opportunities. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah center Branden Carlson, right, grabs for a rebound in front of UCLA forward Adem Bona during the first half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Be truthful. LOS ANGELES (AP) Jaime Jaquez Jr. is having the type of senior season at UCLA most players dream about. SALT LAKE CITY Even when few other Bruins seemed to be able to get it going in the second half, UCLA could count on Jaime Jaquez Jr. Jaquez scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half and Tyger Campbell added 18 to lift fourth-ranked UCLA to a 78-71 victory over Utah on Thursday night. After Hours Tour. When Gabriela hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter, Jaime Jaquez Jr. -- the UCLA men's basketball star and her older brother -- stood up, pumped his fist and high-fived his friends. UCLA: The Bruins took what the Utes gave them, so they consistently scored from the mid-range. Jaquez finished with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting to help UCLA (6-2 overall, 1-0 Pac-12) make 59.3% of its shots and withstand a slipshod second half in which it committed 13 turnovers, Bruins fans finally exhaling with an eight-clap with about 11/2 minutes left. It came from Mamba. His sister, Gabriela, is having a solid season for the 19th-ranked Bruins womens basketball team. Like most top prospects today, both Gabriela and Jaime Jr. had the opportunity to transfer to other high schools or prep programs. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these, MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. Jaquez leads the Bruins with 7.9 boards. Sometimes, its easy for a guy to want to take a day off or get some rest. The game against the Wildcats will feature a matchup of the two favorites for player of the year. "Jaime is a big . You talk about your dad showing you what UCLA was all about. Jaquez Jr. and Tubelis are the only Pac-12 student-athletes on the list of 15 players. It was a heck of an effort. Subscribe to Email Newsletters And Breaking News Alerts, Jan Kim Lim - handout one time use, UCLA Athletics, Ringo H.W. Plain and simple, if you want to win, thats what I can do. Choose wisely! "I think for us, we can win a game in different ways and thats why were confident we can beat anyone," Jaquez says about this season's Bruins. Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona) But that's not his focus. Meanwhile, Jaime Jr. aims to lead UCLA to its first national championship since 1995. Jaquez Jr. has shot 48.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point distance (26-for-78). More . The key is number one, taking care of the ball, and two, relying on your defense to get things done, not your offense, Campbell said. Utah finally started making 3-pointers in the second half and cut the Bruins lead to 62-59 after Wilguens Exacte and Saunders hit from behind the arc. The press is the last thing.. Gabriela Jaquez, Jaime's younger sister, is an incoming freshman on the UCLA women's basketball team who was the No. "The whole community, because they have their friends, they played with them on our team. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Although, Id head back there if they want to do an NIL deal (laughs). A 10-second violation continued a procession of turnovers that made it seem as if Stanford had never faced a full-court press. "I was in basketball camp in fourth grade and they just had us write down our goals," she said. "To be on the mound where legends have been and do that was so, so cool," Jaquez said. My guys have faith in me that Im going to make the right play every time down the stretch.. 24. Jaquez Jr. and the Bruins (25-4, 16-2 Pac-12) clinched the Pac-12 Conference's regular-season title in outright fashion last Sunday afternoon with a 60-56 win at Colorado. In high school, I could do whatever I wanted. Joe Kent's Reel Report every evening. More than a dozen relatives travel back and forth between Pauley Pavilion and their hometown of Camarillo, California, 45 miles northwest of Westwood, in support of the talented siblings -- including younger brother Marcos, a basketball player and budding football prospect at Camarillo High School. UCLA: The Bruins took what the Utes gave them, so they consistently scored from the mid-range. I bet on myself and my ability to step into this program and lead its turnaround. Its extremely busy, but were proud of all of them, Jaime Sr. said. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA forward Adem Bona reacts during the second half of their game against Utah on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. If I was going to go there for school, it meant that we would have to make results happen in March. The game capped a hectic weekend -- three high school or college basketball events in 24 hours -- for the family, who wear "Team Jaquez" shirts to games. Thats saying a lot at UCLA and in the Pac-12. I dont think about anything else. The Utes played without their starting backcourt of Rollie Worster and Gabe Madsen, who are both injured. It was Thanksgiving week of 2019, and the UCLA Bruins were at the Maui Invitational in Mick Cronins first season. I am his little sister. 0. The other MVP was fellow Bruins freshman Kiki Rice. It's more than a tradition; it's a legacy Gabriela and Jaime Jr. have cherished. Low 64F. Jaquez played 37 minutes, Campbell 36 and Bailey 32, numbers that Cronin regretted even after his team posted its third consecutive victory. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Arizona State guard Luther Muhammad (1) shoots against UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. She cares only about what it's going to take for our team to win.". Were a lot more of a mobile team than weve been in the past. Hes an All-American and a guy thats going to play in the NBA for 10-12 years, so its not a surprise, UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. Not a lot of people can say that. I think for us, we can win a game in different ways and thats why were confident we can beat anyone. Gabriela adds, "I really don't care if they see me as Jaime's little sister. $18) with no contract. Oh no, I had to retire it. Receive the most recent obituaries every afternoon. Arizona basketball coach Tommy Lloyd discusses his team's "game-by-game" approach, sharing that as an answer to how the Wildcats have . (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah center Branden Carlson shoots over UCLA forward Kenneth Nwuba during the first half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Last time I was there, I went for a cousins wedding. Despite the disappointing game, Gabriela is an improving young player who was recruited to become an anchor for the Bruins. Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the UCLA Bruins handles the ball during the second half of the NCAA game at McKale Center on January 21, 2023 in Tucson,. She's so blue-collar and willing to do whatever. The 2023 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be presented by its namesake at the upcoming NCAA Final Four in Houston. They could suck recently, this or that but when I get there, were going to be good. Theres no ifs, ands, or buts about it," he said. Keep posts to 75 words or less. 49.2k Followers, 977 Following, 103 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jaime Jaquez Jr (@trippplej) Surrounded by her family, she embraced her father and put her head on his shoulder in comfort.