Jaime Jaquez reveals value of playing pickup games vs. NBA players at UCLA

Former UCLA star Jamie Jaquez firmly cemented his status as one of the best players in Bruins’ history during his time there. He was recently selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. They decided to pick him with the No. 18 overall choice. Since he’s moved onto the NBA, Jaquez decided to let everyone know that he’s had multiple players help him improve his game over the years. More importantly, the former Bruins’ star recently discussed the value of playing against NBA players in pickup games during his time at UCLA. He joined the Podcast P with Paul George to talk about how much those experiences helped him develop as a player.

Jaime Jaquez talks about playing against NBA players in pickup games

“I mean, a lot of guys. There’s so many great players that go through them runs. I think Rico [Mick Cronin]–the way he does it is just tremendous and the way he allowed me to be there at such a young age. I remember going there–going into my senior year of high school, he let me come and watch and even sometimes play,” Jaquez recalled.

One of the players who really impressed him during the pickup games was former Florida Gators’ star Corey Brewer.

“But I just remember being there and seeing Corey Brewer. He was one of those first guys to go there. He’s not the biggest NBA guy in the world, but I just remember, I knew who he was. And I was watching him play and I was like, ‘Damn, these motherfu***ers are really good.’ Like, even a guy that isn’t the top of the top All-Star, just really busting everyone’s ass. And it really just gave me perspective like, ‘Damn, I gotta get better.’ You know?” the former UCLA star said.

“But I just remember watching him and he was just cooking everyone. I was like, ‘Wow. If this is really what I want to do, I gotta continue to get better and work and work and work. And so, being able to go there and even bringing a squad and trying to guard you,” Jaquez continued. “I mean, every guy that was on a team. I’m trying to guard the best guys. So, that’s why I was like, had to take the challenge. I tried to reach a little bit, probably shouldn’t have done that. You learn your lesson. You learn your lesson.”

The forward improved his game each college season, punctuated by an outstanding senior season. Jaquez averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bruins on his way to the Pac-12 Player of the Year award and a spot on the All-America second team. He was the first Pac-12 Player of the Year from UCLA since Kevin Love in 2008.

Jaquez finished his UCLA career with 1,802 points, which is the eighth-best mark in program history. He started 134 of 126 games in his career, which included the first Pac-12 regular season title in a decade and a memorable run to the 2021 Men’s Final Four as a No. 11 seed.

It should be exciting to watch his career blossom in the future in the NBA.

On3’s Peter Warren also contributed to this article.