Jáquez performs before the fervor of 20,000 NBA fans

History insists on uniting Jaime Jáquez with Mexico. The young basketball player born in California and of Mexican descent became the first tricolor to give a victory to the fans of this country as an NBA player after the Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 118-98, a historical result.

The tricolor atmosphere now predominated in the visit of the NBA under the guidance of Jáquez, who, without being the best player on his team, the Miami Heat, was the star before the more than 20 thousand fans who filled the Mexico City Arena.

Jáquez broke that negative streak that Mexicans in the NBA carried every time they visited the country. Eduardo Nájera lost with the Dallas Mavericks in 2003 and with the Denver Nuggets in 2006, while Gustavo Ayón also did not win in 2012 with the Orlando Magic.

Now, the story took a turn with Jáquez, a 23-year-old young man who has a connection with Mexico through his paternal family, and although he has defended the tricolor team, he could still choose the representative of the United States.

Despite the controversy over the selections, Jáquez’s name was a magnet for tricolor fans. The Miami player’s jersey was one of the most worn by fans yesterday in a show of pride.

Jáquez is very good. It is the best tricolor we have ever had. Even if they say he’s not Mexican because he was born in California, they put up with it, because for us he is.said Michelle, a fan who showed off her Miami shirt.

Going out on the court and receiving the support of thousands of fans impressed Jáquez for a moment, who nervously tried to thank the fans. I’m happyhe barely managed to say.

Although he was not a starter, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra allowed the Mexican to shine on the court and please the fans who clamored to see him play even ahead of stars like Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo, who won gold with the United States. United in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Come on, Jaquez!, Come on, Jáquez. Shoot a triple!they shouted from the stands as soon as the Mexican entered the court with six minutes left in the first quarter.

The Miami player knew how to respond to that demand by adding six points in his first minutes. With two shots after a turn under the basket, Jáquez unleashed the applause of a public that waited more than a decade to see an NBA tricolor play in the country.

Since Ayón came to Mexico 12 years ago, fans have been waiting to see another compatriot in the basketball elite again.

Jáquez was the idol at that time for the fans, although on the court, Bam Adebayo was the most outstanding player. It was easy for the double Olympic medalist to lead the Heat. Just at the end of the second period, Adebayo had already scored 20 points, while Tyler Herro also boosted Miami against the Wizards who offered little in attack.

Butler showed his character as a leader after the third quarter to finish with 18 points, while Adebayo scored 32 points with 11 rebounds.

Jáquez’s statistics seem more discreet with 8 points and 10 rebounds. However, the strength he showed on the court demonstrated the tricolor essence that he cannot get rid of by any stretch of the imagination.

For the Wizards, Jordan Poole was the best player, although he could only score 21 points.

It’s fabulous to be here, to know that I’m in the history books; It is a victory for the team and we must continue in this processsaid Jáquez, who was grateful for the support. It was incredible to see the love of the fans, it is something I reciprocate.

Eduardo Nájera, special guest at the duel, recognized Jáquez’s talent, although he stressed that he must now choose a team. “It’s like The India “María, she is neither from here nor from there,” he said in a joking tone.

The euphoria that the meeting aroused is the argument that Nájera uses to bring a franchise to Mexico. They want to take a team to Seattle, it seems like a terrible market to me, it doesn’t compare to CDMX.