2023 March Madness 10 best players by region: West
3. Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, UCLA
Jaquez Jr. has been a staple of UCLA鈥檚 success since Mick Cronin got to Los Angeles, but he has taken another step forward in his senior season. On the year, the 6-foot-7 guard has averaged 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds. He can step out and shoot from 3-point range, as evidenced by his 33% mark from beyond the arc, but is also very crafty when posting up and playing around the rim. Jaquez Jr. has produced nine double-doubles on the year, including two in the Bruins鈥� last two games, and has put together 12 20-point scoring efforts. With recent injuries to Jaylen Clark and Adem Bona, the Pac-12 Player of the Year will have to continue to carry the offensive load, but will also be tasked with more defensive responsibility in the tournament.
The definition of what it means to be a Bruin 馃挭
Our Naismith Men鈥檚 College POY Semifinalist Jaime Jaquez Jr. has put together a GREAT senior year, leading the Bruins in 饾槺饾槹饾槳饾槸饾樀饾槾 & 饾槼饾槮饾槪饾槹饾樁饾槸饾槬饾槾鈥硷笍
Catch him in tonight鈥檚 Championship Game 馃弳
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy)