MIAMI, FL – The NBA announced today that Miami HEAT forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in December. It marks the 11th time a HEAT rookie has won the honor and third time a HEAT rookie has done so multiple times, joining Caron Butler (four times) and Kendrick Nunn (three times). Jaquez Jr. also earned the honor for October/November.
Jaquez Jr., who was selected by the HEAT in the first round (18th overall) in the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 16.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 84.9 percent from the foul line in December. For the month, he led the team in scoring twice, steals four times, blocks three times, minutes on two occasions and assists once.
Jaquez Jr. recorded 10 double-figure scoring games, including two 20-point games and one 30-point performance. 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 are tied for the seventh-most by a rookie on Christmas in league history and also tie for the third-most by any HEAT player.
Jaquez Jr. 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). He has posted three 20-point games off the bench, already tied for the fifth-most by a HEAT rookie in franchise history. Additionally, Jaquez Jr. has played 315.8 fourth quarter minutes, the most in the entire NBA.
Among rookie league leaders this season, he ranks second in steals per game, minutes per game and free throw percentage, fourth in scoring average, fifth in field goal percentage, seventh in assists per game and 10th in rebounds per game.
Photo/MiamiHeat/X
Miami Heat media relations contributed to this column
