Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Contemplating Representing Mexico In Olympics

While Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez is focused on the NBA season, he has an important decision in the offseason. 

Jaquez said he has yet to decide if he will play for Mexico next summer in the 2024 Olympics. 

"I don't know yet," Jaquez said after Thursday's victory against the Indiana Pacers. "That's something I'm going to have to look at during he future ... But it's something I'm looking forward to do eventually."

Jaquez would make a solid addition to the Mexican national team. He is coming off a career-high, 24-point performance against the Pacers, helping the Heat make up for the loss of the injured Bam Adebayo in the second half. This season, he is averaging 12 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 52 percent shooting.   

After spending four years at UCLA and playing in the NCAA Tournament, Jaquez has entered the league with more experience than most rookies. 

"He has a poise about him that he can be aggressive and also read the defense," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I think that's just born out of a lot of experience. He's played in a lot of big college basketball games where he had to make decision after decision after decision for that team to be successful."

Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.