Heat star Jaime Jaquez Jr celebrates sister’s WNBA Draft selection with heartfelt message

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Basketball hasbecome the family business for the Jaquez family.

The Chicago Sky selected Gabriela Jaquez with the No.5 overall pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday, making her the second professional basketball player in the family.Gabriela’s brother, Jaime Jaquez Jr., has spent the last three seasons with theMiami Heat.

Jaquez Jr.posted a message to hisInstagram Storiescongratulating his sister.

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez posing with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after draft selection

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky in the first round of the WNBA Draft in New York on April 13, 2026.(Pamela Smith/AP Photo)

“Mama we made it!” Jaquez Jr.wrote.

Jaquez was a standout player onUCLA’s national title-winning teamthis season.Her performance in the championship game capped off an outstanding season, as she scored 21 points while hauling in 10 rebounds with five assists in UCLA’s 79-51 win over South Carolina.

Jaquez, who spent all four years of her collegiate career with UCLA, averaged 13.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 38 games this season.She shot an astounding 53.9% from the field and an impressive 39% from 3-point range.

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UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez cutting down basketball net in celebration

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez cuts down the net after UCLA defeated South Carolina in the NCAA women’s Final Four national championship game in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 5, 2026.(Rick Scuteri/AP Photo)

The 22-year-old was named to the 2025-26 NCAA All-Tournament team, the 2025-26 All-Big Ten team, and the 2024-25 NCAA All-Region team throughout her career.

Jaquez Jr.was not able to attend his sister’s big night as he is getting ready for the Heat’s NBA Play-in Tournament game against theCharlotte Hornetson Thursday.

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Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. dribbling basketball during game at Kaseya Center

Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 12, 2026.(Jim Rassol/Imagn Images)

The 25-year-old small forward has had the best season of his young career for the Heat this year.In 75 games, with all but one of them coming off the bench, Jaquez Jr.has averaged a career-high 15.4 points, five rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Jaquez Jr.will hope to provide the Heat with a spark off the bench when they take on the Hornets at 7:30 p.m.ET on Tuesday.

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