This is Gabriela’s first tournament, and Jaime’s last after a college experience filled with wins.
“It has been tremendous. I am so proud of her and her hard work,” said Jaime Jaquez Jr. to the Pac-12 network when asked what it means to play the NCAA tournament with his sister.
Their grandfather is ready to watch — especially since he’s also an expert on the sport.
“I’m excited and subdued,” the 83-year-old former basketball coach and teacher told NBC News. “I like to watch the game very quiet. I think about it as if I was in Jaimito’s shoes, ‘Ay Jaimito, you could’ve made that shot,” or think about the opportunity or tough spot the coach is in.”
“I have a tremendous sense of pride and excitement. They are living what I wanted to do when I was at school,” he added.
In this Mexican American family, a love of the game
The Jaquez family has been playing college basketball for three generations. The journey started with grandfather Zeke, the son of produce packers from Oxnard, California, who immigrated from Mexico. He was the first to receive a college scholarship through basketball, playing as a guard at Arizona State College, now known as Northern Arizona University, where he also received his teaching credentials.
The tradition was carried on by his son Jaime Jaquez Sr. — the siblings’ dad — who also played college-level basketball at Concordia University, where his wife Angela played on the women’s basketball team.
“It opens your eyes to see there aren’t that many Mexican kids out there, it gives me an extra set of pride,” said the eldest Jaquez. “The wonderful thing is that maybe because of my experience, other people in my family, other kids thought to play basketball.”
A love of hoops — and teaching
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., or Jaimito as he is affectionately known in his family, has broken many records throughout his collegiate basketball career. He recently surpassed legendary UCLA Hall of Famer Bill Walton for…
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