Mexican basketball player Jaime Jaquez, born in Irvine, California, is preparing to be part of the NBA in Mexico this weekend. Jaquez, who plays for the Miami Heat, will face the Washington Wizards at Arena CDMX on November 2. He will be the third Mexican to play an official NBA game on national territory, generating great anticipation among fans after a standout first year with the Florida team.
Among Jaquez's predecessors in playing NBA games in Mexico is Eduardo Nájera, a native of Nayarit and Chihuahua. Nájera had memorable performances on Mexican soil, being cheered by the crowd both with the Dallas Mavericks in 2003 and with the Denver Nuggets in 2006. Gustavo Ayón also participated in an NBA game in Mexico in 2012 with the Orlando Magic, bringing his Mexican roots despite being born in the United States.
Jaime Jaquez, 23 years old, stands out in the small forward position and joined the Miami Heat in the 2023-2024 season as the sixth Mexican addition to the league. In his first year, Jaquez was named Rookie of the Month several times and set scoring records for a Mexican in both regular season games and playoffs. With his outstanding performances, Jaime Jaquez is expected to continue establishing himself as a prominent figure in the NBA.
