Sometimes its easy to forget about some of the cool things that Ive been able to do. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah center Keba Keita (13) blocks a shot by UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. But Ezequiel remembers convincing his father to build a rim for him and his brother, Dick, to practice with. Its just been a lot of fun being able to hang out with him outside of basketball and doing other things, she said. This handout provided by UCLA Athletics shows Gabriela Jaquez and Jaime Jaquez Jr. posed at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, Aug. 23, 2022 It has been a great season so far . Were not into moral victories but really, really proud of the way they played today, Utah coach Craig Smith said. His sister, Gabriela, is having a solid season for the 19th-ranked Bruins womens basketball team. Jaquez Jr. has shot 48.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point distance (26-for-78). Its just so many things to get in when youve got all these freshmen, just so much to teach, Cronin said. National championship. Learning about him, and all the championships he won, made me want to be a part of UCLA. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half and Tyger Campbell added 18 to lift No. Id say thats a pretty fun childhood. Thats huge to me and really is something that I want to make happen. He wanted them to become versatile players but still have fun. No pseudonyms or partial Hes an All-American and a guy thats going to play in the NBA for 10-12 years, so its not a surprise, UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. Well, now were starting to get to the hard hitters here. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots as Utah center Branden Carlson, left and guard Lazar Stefanovic defend during the first half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. The stars were Shabazz Muhammad, Larry Drew II and Kyle Anderson, the Bruins edging Oregon by one game in the conference standings. Don't threaten. Receive the most recent obituaries every afternoon. Well, growing up I played football, soccer, golf, baseball and basketball. Sometimes, they bring their friends and show them how to put ranch on their favorite pizza slices. Its such a great country. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. It was midday Taco Bell for us, then after that, it was back to the courts for more hoops. Gabriela said having her older brother around has made adjusting to college easier. Invalid password or account does not exist. 19 recruit in the class of 2022. Going into Saturdays regular-season finale against No. Saunders, who only had three points in all of conference play coming into the game, brought a new element of speed to the Utes but made some mistakes characteristic of seldom-used players. When Stanfords Brandon Angel rose for a three-pointer with 41/2 minutes left Thursday night, a UCLA lead that had once stood at 23 points was down to eight and the tension inside the old building was palpable. Twenty years from now, when UCLA fans are talking about the mark Jaime Jaquez left on the program, what do you want them to say? 4 UCLA hold off Utah, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), UCLA gymnastics takes on Stanford while celebrating Title IX, UCLA women edge top seed Stanford to reach Pac-12 Tournament final, UCLA, Chip Kelly agree to 2-year contract extension, UCLAs Jaime Jaquez Jr.: We built something real special here, Jaime Jaquez Jr. helps UCLA survive slow start against Arizona State, UCIrvine holds off UCRiverside to remain tied atop Big West, Long Beach State, UCIrvine women extend Big West title chase, Long Beach State routs Cal State Bakersfield in home finale, Cal State Fullerton edges Cal State Bakersfield in OT for 6th straight win, Disneyland quietly removes controversial lyric from new parade soundtrack, Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 2 arrested in Anaheim on suspicion of possessing $463,000 in stolen merchandise, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Lake Forest woman filed restraining order against daughter 8 years before being killed in their home, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, Taco Mesita opens flagship location in Old Town Tustin, OC Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, March 5, Lake Forest man convicted of killing stepmom with pickaxe, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Utah center Branden Carlson (35) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Adem Bona (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Earlier this year, Russell (Stong) and I were playing pickup soccer with the womens soccer team, who won the national championship. I was born in Irvine, and we moved to Camarillo when I was 8 years old. When you have Jaime and Tyger, its easy to be confident.. The Bruins have gone 15-0 in home games. I think it's a really cool opportunity if we can capitalize on that. The Bruins will close their regular-season schedule at home against Arizona on Saturday, March 4. But it's a familiar grind. The thing about Coach is that he never gives in, never quits on us. Selected to Wooden Award National Ballot, No. A lot of people in Mexico would love to see someone else in the NBA. "The whole community, because they have their friends, they played with them on our team. March 24, 2022, 12:09 PM. "It was basketball and life goals. He then became a local high school coach who helped Marion Jones, the former Olympic gold medalist and former North Carolina women's basketball standout, develop her game. The other MVP was fellow Bruins freshman Kiki Rice. Mike Saunders Jr. came off the bench to score a career-high 25 points for Utah (17-12, 10-8 Pac-12), which has lost three in a row. On the other hand, Im very low-key and mellow, but man, shes got an attitude and confidence. Hes going to learn. It also has dramatically improved his standing in a two-man race for Pac-12 player of the year, along with Arizona's Azuolas Tubelis. The decision made waves within the Jaquez family, who still have roots in Mexico, including relatives living in Guadalajara. 4 UCLA to a 78-71 win over Utah. When Gabriela hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter, Jaime Jaquez Jr. -- the UCLA men's basketball star and her older brother -- stood up, pumped his fist and high-fived his friends. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. shoots as Utah guard Marco Anthony defends during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Things like that. It was a heck of an effort. A formal presentation will follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. The key is number one, taking care of the ball, and two, relying on your defense to get things done, not your offense, Campbell said. He committed to UCLA in 2018 when the program was at one of its lowest points after firing Steve Alford less than a week before the start of conference play. It has been a great season so far for No. Jaquez played 37 minutes, Campbell 36 and Bailey 32, numbers that Cronin regretted even after his team posted its third consecutive victory. A fresh-faced freshman Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) celebrates with teammate Prince Ali during a game in the 2019-20 . Sometimes, its easy for a guy to want to take a day off or get some rest. The Wildcats are 14-5 in Pac-12 play. 8 Arizona, Jaime is on pace to become only the sixth player in conference history to rank in the top five in the Pac-12 in scoring, rebounding and steals. Kris Murray (Iowa) But his focus was solely on the freshman forward on the floor for UCLA. Limited time only! Internet forum rules On teammate Tyger Campbell, Jaquez says: "We dont get to a Final Four and Sweet 16 without him." Hes the one who makes all of that happen. 49.2k Followers, 977 Following, 103 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jaime Jaquez Jr (@trippplej) 0. If UCLA (-2.5) intends to beat North Carolina in their NCAA tournament Sweet 16 matchup Friday, the availability of Jaime Jaquez Jr. can swing the difficulty of that . The Camarillo . Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana) I loved how creative you could get with it. The 2023 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be presented by its namesake at the upcoming NCAA Final Four in Houston. The animated . Utah held the Bruins without a field goal for more than six minutes in the middle of the second half, highlighted by a couple of thunderous blocks from Branden Carlson and Keba Keita. Thats what we got in mind, Jacquez said. Freshman guard Amari Bailey added 19 points and senior guard Tyger Campbell tallied 17 points and eight assists for the Bruins, who held the Cardinal (3-5, 0-1) to 45.3% shooting and 17 turnovers. Receive the daily weather forecast and the weekly outlook in your inbox each morning. Jaime is a big-time player. Its always on my mind because were this close to the moment and weve been close before. I couldnt ask for two better parents. This is the nation's oldest such award and the only one named after a former player. If the way the Bruins unleashed it in the first half is any indication, theyre quick learners. Jaquez scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half and Tyger Campbell added 18 to lift fourth-ranked UCLA to a 78-71 victory over Utah on Thursday night. Get the latest local and national sports headlines deliveredto your inbox every morning. To this day, most of her children and grandchildren live in Camarillo. Plan your fishing trips with Capt. The Bruins are 16-0 on their home court. Marcos is there now too. Lets turn to your classmate and point guard, Tyger Campbell (12.2 PPG, 4.8 APG). Clark and senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. tried to recall who was on that team. What would it mean to you to be the second? I prepare myself to be in these situations, Jaquez said. Jaquez was ranked 87th in the 2019 recruiting rankings. Jaime Jaquez Jr. makes a nice move for the layup. It was right by my house growing up so that made it convenient. Theres so much opportunity and with NIL, theres so much potential. Senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. banked in a short jumper and made a layup amid a sea of bodies to help the No. Im all in on the Dodgers. I try to get out there as much as I can to visit family. Mata has mentored Jquez Jr., who said Mata . Hes going to learn. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA forward Adem Bona dunks over Utah center Keba Keita, left, as Utah forward Bostyn Holt looks on during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Because of the way he pushes us and works for our success, it makes you want to play even harder for him. I was just waiting for an opportunity. What was it like throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium? Its eye-opening for a lot of people and I know how much it means to Mexico to see the growth in basketball. We were always going to the park when I was growing up, and summers were the best. I just wanted to play with them and see what I could do. Its been great, man. Juan (Toscano-Anderson) is already there, and hes holding it down, having won an NBA championship with the Warriors. But Jaquez came up with baskets when the Bruins needed them most. Gabriela Jaquez, Jaime's younger sister, is an incoming freshman on the UCLA women's basketball team who was the No. Utah guard Marco Anthony (10) drives against UCLA guard Dylan Andrews during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. The rise of Jaime Jr. and Gabriela is a testament to the support and love that surrounds them and the sacrifices made before they were born. Low 64F. SoFi Stadium. Receive an email notification each time resident weather expert Stan Blazyk writes a new article. John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. Freshman guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has Mexican heritage on his father's side and spent time competing with Team Mexico at the Pan American Games in the summer of 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah guard Mike Saunders Jr. drives past fallen UCLA guard Tyger Campbell during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. each comment to let us know of rule violations. Speaking of the place UCLA was in, why did you bet on this place considering their struggles before your time there? We caught up with the Bruins superstar last week following practice for our latest FOX College Hoops Q&A. The Bruins won, but Gabriela scored just the three points. Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience, Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. Last time I was there, I went for a cousins wedding. UCLAs 15-2 mark through 17 Pac-12 games marks the programs best conference start since the 2007-08 Final Four team with Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook. 4 UCLA to a 78-71 win over Utah on Thursday night. How did you fall in love with basketball? NIL has opened up a lot of gateways, and I think the biggest thing now is that theres not a bad option for anybody coming out of high school. Hours previously, Jaime Jr. had scored in double figures, on the . Jaime is a big-time player. My guys have faith in me that Im going to make the right play every time down the stretch.. Freshman guard Amari Bailey added 19 points and senior guard Tyger Campbell . Hes an All-American and a guy thats going to play in the NBA for 10-12 years, so its not a surprise, UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. The game was never in jeopardy, Cronin said, despite Utahs late runs. Receive updates on the latest issues of Coast Monthly. 10, nationally. LAS VEGAS (AP) Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 15 points and seventh-seeded Washington State stunned No. Arizona guard Shaina Pellington (1) reacts after missing the last shot in regulation as UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez runs by on Feb. 3 in Los Angeles. Even with their scoring drought, the Bruins took care of the ball with only six turnovers, marking the 27th of 28 games this season they have less giveaways than their opponent. Brandon Miller (Alabama) The key is number one, taking care of the ball, and two, relying on your defense to get things done, not your offense, Campbell said. UCLA has been in the Top 10 for the last month and further upward mobility will probably depend on one of the top three losing this weekend. Shes very sassy and thinks shes No. Jaquez, who was UCLAs only effective offensive player in the second half, made a 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining to seal the win just moments after Campbell made a 3 from the corner. It diversifies the NBA a lot more, too. A 10-second violation continued a procession of turnovers that made it seem as if Stanford had never faced a full-court press. Bro, Im a five-sport athlete now! But Jaime Jr., Gabriela and Marcos represent the third generation of basketball players in their family. I think for us, we can win a game in different ways and thats why were confident we can beat anyone. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism What has it meant playing alongside Tyger through this journey, and what does he mean to the Bruins? Hours earlier, Jaime Jr. had scored in double figures, on the same court, also in front of his family. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. My guys have faith in me that Im going to make the right play every time down the stretch.. The 6-foot-7 guard/forward led his team in scoring and rebounding as the fourth-ranked . Men's Basketball It was definitely a thought. At Toppers Pizza in Camarillo, members of the Jaquez family took up two large tables as they passed a collection of pizzas -- creamy garlic chicken, chicken ranch dijon and hot honey -- between them. Jaime Jaquez Jr. exerts his authority as UCLA earns its ninth consecutive win Kirill Kaprizov scores twice as Wild slip past Canucks 2-1 Warriors third-quarter outburst leads to key win over Clippers Meanwhile, Jaime Jr. aims to lead UCLA to its first national championship since 1995. names allowed. Utah: The Utes made it difficult at times for the Bruins with a determined effort on the boards and a lot of hustle, but the Utes couldnt shoot. "His Spanish got better," Gloria joked. "One of the things I thought about, I just had all my friends," Jaime Jr. said. It has been a great season so far for No. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger). The Weeknd. Utah: The Utes made it difficult at times for the Bruins with a determined effort on the boards and a lot of hustle, but the Utes couldnt shoot. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. I made it clear to him that it was my dream to reach the NBA, and he and my mom couldnt have been more supportive of it. How are you two alike? Oscar Tschiebwe (Kentucky) Receive updates on the latest issues of Coast Monthly. Winning a national title would mean I could wipe my hands and say what I needed. Subscribe now to be updated on the latest videos: https://www.youtube.com/marchmadnessConnect with March Madness:Follow March Madness MBB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBBFollow March Madness WBB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBBLike March Madness MBB on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarchMadnessMBBLike March Madness WBB on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarchMadnessWBB/Follow March Madness MBB on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marchmadnessmbb/Follow March Madness WBB on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marchmadnesswbb/Follow March Madness MBB on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/marchmad#marchmadness #collegebasketball "We're both competitive," Jaime Jr. said to ESPN of his sister's reaction to what she considered a disappointing performance, despite also picking up nine rebounds. LOS ANGELES -- Gabriela Jaquez's biggest fan entered Pauley Pavilion on a Saturday afternoon with a couple of his buddies. On Sunday morning, the family will quickly head to Las Vegas as the Bruins look to win the conference women's tournament for the first time since 2006. 6 Stanford 69-65 in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals, https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball, https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll, Guest commentary: End of Texas' open beaches might be near, Long-voyage Carnival ship to sail from Galveston, New Port Bolivar-Galveston ferry to shore up aged fleet, Man slain in League City a longtime teacher, coach, Second store in Galveston County enters fights against opioid overdoses, Galveston police reviewing whether patrol unit hit crash victim, Biz Buzz: Main St. Jaime Jaquez Sr. said the plan is for most of the family to be at Pauley Pavilion while some will be at the regional semifinal since both games are taking place simultaneously. It was Thanksgiving week of 2019, and the UCLA Bruins were at the Maui Invitational in Mick Cronins first season. I feel like every time Im on the floor, I keep smiling and am so happy to be playing with these guys," said Jaquez, who is averaging 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. You see the game, and its getting to be a lot more international. We grew up in a small community that was really close-knit. In high school, he earned recognition in local newspapers as one of the first Mexican American players in the area to compete at an elite level. Shes very different from me off the court. They were some things tonight hes got to do better, but he really sparked us on the offensive end, Smith said. FILE - UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) is defended by Stanford forwards Maxime Raynaud (42) and Harrison Ingram (55) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. 20d; 0:31. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Utah guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) drives against UCLA guard Amari Bailey (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. person will not be tolerated. UCLA: The Bruins took what the Utes gave them, so they consistently scored from the mid-range. He wants to be known as a Bruins legend first. The key was to disrupt their offense, not let them run their sets, Jaquez said. Mar 4, 2023 Updated 6 min ago. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. So whether I'm Mexican or not -- and I love to embrace my culture and that's who I am -- I'm a person at the end of the day.". After Hours Tour. Having a little sister around, you dont really appreciate that when youre in high school. Well eat and talk about the game. On teammate Tyger Campbell, Jaquez says: "We dont get to a Final Four and Sweet 16 without him.". And it's good for our family. Jaquez's ankle has been the biggest storyline heading into Friday's matchup, and Bruins coach Mick Cronin says he is 'going to try'. Start your morning with the top headlines each day. "And I started to appreciate it a lot more.". I was a left-handed hitter, but I threw right. With Jaime having two home games, Gabriela at the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas and younger brother Marcos, a Camarillo High School basketball team senior, it has been another busy week of travel for the Jaquez family. "I just wanted to make sure that they won first and I wanted them to go through the steps," he said. Start your 2023 wellness journey with insurance, (Godofredo A. Vsquez / Associated Press). Plain and simple, if you want to win, thats what I can do. He has gone beyond that and is one of the favorites for Pac-12 Player of the Year. The Cardinal couldnt even get the ball past halfcourt on its next possession. ICYMI is a weekly newsletter highlighting stories from the past week. Story Links. Subscribe to Email Newsletters And Breaking News Alerts, Jaquez Jr. leads No. Stanfords first nine possessions ended in futile fashion. Gabriela added, "We'll learn from it. Bar none. In 1998, the award was named in honor of Oscar Robertson, a Hall of Fame player at the University of Cincinnati and a two-time recipient of the USBWA's Player of the Year award. For a program going through a rebuild, the trip to Hawaii started poorly with a loss to BYU, setting up a dreaded game against Division II Chaminade from which there wasn't much to gain. And our team, both of our teams, were really, really good.". Utah held the Bruins without a field goal for more than six minutes in the middle of the second half, highlighted by a couple of thunderous blocked shots from Branden Carlson and Keba Keita. Ezequiel's parents didn't know much about basketball after they emigrated from Mexico and moved to Oxnard, California, when their son was a child. (Photo courtesy of Scott Chandler/UCLA). The game did not appear headed for a dramatic finish given its lopsided start. FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, College Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter. But it is their commitment to their bond and heritage that has allowed them to blossom on basketball courts throughout the West Coast for decades. 22d; 0:21. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Clear skies. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), Utah center Branden Carlson, left, tries to keep the ball from UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the second half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Im a grand master when it comes to chess. The best piece of advice came from my dad, and its actually something that he got by reading Coach Wooden: Be quick, but not in a hurry. Whats the best piece of advice you have ever gotten? Los Angeles; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST. UCLA is sixth in the Pac-12 in rebounding with 32.7 rebounds. "I think for us, we can win a game in different ways and thats why were confident we can beat anyone," Jaquez says about this season's Bruins. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Receive special offers from The Daily News and select partners including discounts, contests and more. "I didn't want to leave and go to a new school and meet a bunch of people. I dont think about anything else. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta. The chant that serenaded the Bruins after Jaquez stole an inbounds pass for a breakaway dunk provided comforting familiarity in their first true road game of the season. UCLA, with a three-game league lead over USC and Arizona, will return to action against Arizona State (20-9, 11-7) this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. (PT). "Hes going to help a team win right away because hes made UCLA win for three years, and hes going to have the experience to do that," Cronin said at Pac-12 media days. UCLA is 23- when it . Purdue center Zach Edey and reigning winner Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky were among the 15 finalists named Saturday for the Wooden Award as the best men's college basketball player. Shes got an attitude to her and thinks shes the best. Right now, Juan Toscano-Anderson of the Lakers is the only player of Mexican descent playing in the NBA. Jaime Jr. and Gabriela still return to Camarillo during the season. lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. I would say mission accomplished. Were moving a lot faster up and down the floor. We all knew each other and spent a ton of time together. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. runs into Utah guard Marco Anthony during the first half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. LOS ANGELES For the briefest of moments as he dribbled on the wing, UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. saw an opening. Receive the daily weather forecast and the weekly outlook in your inbox each morning. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger), UCLA guard Tyger Campbell shoots as Utah guard Wilguens Junior Exacte, left, defends during the first half on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. He has totaled 72 assists and 55 turnovers and ranks second on the team with 44 steals (averaging 1.5 steals per game). Utah center Keba . Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones.