Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. faces a whirlwind weekend of coast-to-coast travel after receiving approval from coach Erik Spoelstra to support his sister in Sunday’s national championship game.
The former UCLA star will fly to Phoenix to watch Gabriela Jaquez and the Bruins take on South Carolina in the women’s basketball title contest.
While Jaquez won’t miss any Heat games, his travel itinerary will be demanding. Miami hosts the Washington Wizards on Saturday, then travels to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
The journey requires a 2,000-mile flight from Miami to Phoenix, followed by a 1,900-mile trip from Arizona to Toronto.
The older Jaquez brother had a stellar college career, guiding UCLA to the men’s 2021 Final Four and capturing 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year honors along with second-team All-America recognition. Miami selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft.
Gabriela Jaquez ranks third on UCLA’s scoring list, averaging 13.3 points per game while contributing 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The senior has been instrumental in the Bruins’ remarkable 36-1 season and their second straight Final Four run as they pursue the program’s first women’s basketball championship.
In Friday’s 51-44 national semifinal win over Texas, she contributed 10 points, two assists and four rebounds.
