Victon Wembanyama, Jaime Jáquez Jr. and Chet Holmgren fight for rookie of the year.LAPRESSE

T he start to Mexican Jaime Jáquez Jr. ‘s rookie season in the NBA with the Miami Heat has not only surpassed any optimistic expectations that were had of him when he was chosen in the first round (#18 overall) by the defending champions of the Eastern Conference, but also already has the potential to enter the history books of national sports regardless of specialty.

And the thing is, if we cut the box today, what the ‘ Triple J ‘ has done has arguments to dispute the distinction of Rookie of the Year in the best basketball in the world, beyond the fact that it seems impossible for it not to become the best campaign in history for a Mexican in the NBA.

How good is Jaime Jáquez’s season?

Let’s try to put things in context, what was achieved on Christmas Day by Jáquez is almost unprecedented, he is the fifth first-year player in the entire history of the NBA (dating back to 1946), who achieves a double-double with at least 30 points scored on December 25, which for this league is the most important day that can exist in the regular season (equivalent to Thanksgiving Day in the NFL ).

But it’s not just that, Jáquez has already been named Rookie of the Month for November in the NBA , he has earned the trust to be the luxury change and sometimes starter in the Heat’s quintet, we insist a team that played in the Finals last season and who also has veteran player numbers in this league: 13.7 points per game, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28.9 minutes per game.

It will be difficult for him to be the Rookie of the Year because the two favorites are precisely the first two picks from the last Draft and who until now surpass them in fundamental statistics, largely because they receive many more opportunities both in time on the floor and in shots to the basket.

The seasons of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren

The big favorite is the French phenomenon of the San Antonio Spurs , Victor Wembanyama , who has an average of 18.5 points per game, 10.7 boards and 2.8 assists per game and the other is the American Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder with averages of 17.2 points , 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 passes to the basket per game played.
In short, it seems difficult for Jáquez to surpass them in the vote, but there is still a lot of season left to play and the Mexican is going to do everything in his power to stay in this conversation , which in itself is an honor.