Jaime Jaquez Jr. reveals why he prefers Heat over Lakers / News - Basketnews.com

Rookie Jamie Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat revealed why he ultimately prefers to be in the Miami Heat rather than the Los Angeles Lakers.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is one of the rookies who has made an impact in this year's NBA regular season, playing for the Miami Heat.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

MIN:29.71PTS:13.7 (57.04%)REB:3.88As:2.58ST:1.09BL:0.27TO:1.64GM:33ProfileNBA2023/2024

During the 2023 NBA Draft, there was a chance that the Southern Californian player would be selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, his hometown team.

Speaking to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the rookie revealed why he is happy with being selected by the Heat rather than the Lakers.

"I wanted to get away," Jaquez Jr. said. "I think, for myself, I thought it was important for me to be able to go out of my comfort zone and experience something new.

I didn't want to be a guy that said, 'Oh, I just stayed in Southern California all my life,'" he explained his motivation. I wanted to go live in a different, new place. And that’s why I was very excited to go to Miami.

It was new. Everyone compares it, but I think it’s very, very different," he said about his experience with the Heat.

So far, the guard is averaging 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He has shot over 50% of all field goals as well.

Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.