Jaime Jaquez says passing Bill Walton on UCLA scoring list is 'crazy'
UCLA star Jaime Jaquez passed Bill Walton on the school’s all-time scoring list. While the Bruins playmaker led the team to a 67-62 win over Northwestern in the Round of 32, he had quite the individual accolade.
Jaquez improved to No. 12 in school history and is now just 11 points behind Charles O’Bannon for No. 11 overall. But he nearly couldn’t believe he passed an icon like Walton.
He said he’d be sure to thank Walton for all that he did for the game of basketball.
“That’s crazy. That’s insane. I’ll be sure to tell Bill when I see him,” Jaquez said. “Yeah, I mean, that’s kind of crazy. I didn’t know that. But it’s funny because we see Bill all the time in the mornings. He always does our games back at home. Just to be in a conversation with a guy that’s so great like that, I mean, I’m just blessed. I’m just blessed to be in this position, blessed to play under such a great coach, blessed to go to this institution. I don’t really know what to say. That’s crazy.”
Walton also posted a video to send a shout out to Jaquez for his accomplishment.
“I am so incredibly happy and proud of all of your incredible achievements, Jaime,” Walton said. “You’re a shining star, a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow, and a timeless Bruin legend. Jaime, you’ve brought so much pride and joy into our lives and the lives of everyone who resides in the universe of goodness.”
Walton continued on about Jaquez’s play inspiring UCLA fans.
“Thanks, for putting smiles of pride, hope, optimism, and joy on the faces of the world,” Walton said. “Good luck Jaime, good everything forever, good Jaime Jaquez forever. Wow, you’re fantastic, spectacular and wonderful, Jaime Jaquez. Yeah, empty the thesaurus of all good things, and we’ll leave it at that. Shine on, play on, Jaime Jaquez on.”
In 38 minutes against the Wildcats, Jaquez put up 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Amari Bailey added 14 points, four rebounds and six assists as the second-leading scorer for the Bruins.
UCLA gets its biggest challenge of the season to date in the Sweet 16.
The No. 3 seeded Bruins take on No. 2 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 Thursday.