The NBA announced today that Miami HEAT forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He becomes the 14th HEAT rookie to be named to an NBA All-Rookie Team and the seventh to earn First Team honors, joining Kendrick Nunn (2019-20), Michael Beasley (2008-09), Dwyane Wade (2003-04), Caron Butler (2002-03), Steve Smith (1991-92) and Sherman Douglas (1989-90).
Jaquez Jr. was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month twice this past season, becoming just the third rookie in HEAT history to win the award multiple times, and was selected to participate in the NBA Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend. He was selected by Miami in the first round (18th overall) in the 2023 NBA Draft and appeared in 75 games (20 starts) this season averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.03 steals and 28.2 minutes while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 81.1 percent from the foul line. He recorded 44 double-figure scoring games, including nine 20-point games and one 30-point performance. Five of his nine 20-point games came off the bench, the fifth-most by a HEAT rookie in team history. He posted a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double on December 25 vs. Philadelphia, becoming just the fifth rookie in NBA history to record a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double in a Christmas Day game, joining only Patrick Ewing (1985), Walt Bellamy (1961), Oscar Robertson (1960) and Wilt Chamberlain (1959). His 31 points tied for the seventh-most by a rookie on Christmas Day in league history and also tied for the third-most by any HEAT player. He scored in double-figures in 13-straight games from November 20 through December 16, the longest streak by a HEAT rookie since Dwyane Wade (15 games). Additionally, Jaquez Jr. played 626.7 fourth quarter minutes, the most by any rookie and the ninth-most in the entire NBA this season.
Among rookie league leaders this season, he finished third in steals and minutes, fourth in steals per game and field goals made, fifth in points, free throw percentage, minutes per game and total plus/minus, sixth in free throws made and field goal percentage, eighth in scoring average and assists, 10th in rebounds and assists per game and 14th in rebounds per game.
2023-24 NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM
| Player | Team | First (2 pt) | Second (1 Pt) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City | 99 | 0 | 198 |
| Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio | 99 | 0 | 198 |
| Brandon Miller | Charlotte | 97 | 1 | 195 |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Miami | 89 | 10 | 188 |
| Brandin Podziemski | Golden State | 64 | 33 | 161 |
2023-24 NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM
| Player | Team | First (2 pt) | Second (1 Pt) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dereck Lively II | Dallas | 26 | 67 | 119 |
| Amen Thompson | Houston | 10 | 80 | 100 |
| Keyonte George | Utah | 3 | 71 | 77 |
| Cason Wallace | Oklahoma City | 2 | 63 | 67 |
| GG Jackson II | Memphis | 5 | 33 | 43 |