Jaquez siblings to reunite at women's title game

Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Jr. excused to watch sister Gabriela play for UCLA in championship

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:41pm

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Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been excused by head coach Erik Spoelstra to travel to Phoenix and watch his sister Gabriela play for UCLA in the women's national championship game against South Carolina on Sunday. Jaime, a UCLA alum, will have a tight travel schedule as the Heat play at home on Saturday and then on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The Jaquez siblings have both had successful college basketball careers, with Jaime leading UCLA's men's team to the 2021 Final Four and being named the 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year, while Gabriela has helped the UCLA women's team reach the national championship game for the second consecutive year.

The details

Jaime Jaquez Jr. will travel to Phoenix to see his sister Gabriela play for the UCLA Bruins in the women's national championship game against South Carolina on Sunday. This creates a tight travel schedule for Jaime, as the Heat play at home against the Washington Wizards on Saturday and then on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, requiring flights of over 2,000 miles to Phoenix and then 1,900 miles to Toronto. Gabriela Jaquez is third on the Bruins with 13.3 points per game, and has helped the team to a 36-1 record and a second consecutive Final Four appearance.

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. will travel to Phoenix to watch the women's national championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Miami Heat play at home against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Miami Heat play on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

A forward for the Miami Heat and a UCLA alum, Jaime led the Bruins' men's team to the 2021 Final Four and was named the 2023 Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year.

Gabriela Jaquez

Jaime's sister, a senior at UCLA who is third on the Bruins' women's basketball team with 13.3 points per game, and has helped the team reach the national championship game for the second consecutive year.

Erik Spoelstra

The head coach of the Miami Heat, who has excused Jaime Jaquez Jr. to travel and watch his sister play in the national championship game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is expected to return to the Heat in time for their game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The Jaquez siblings' basketball success and family bond is a heartwarming story, as Jaime takes time away from his NBA duties to support his sister Gabriela in her pursuit of a national championship with the UCLA women's team.