The next generation of Jaquezes -- siblings Jaime Jr., Gabriela and Marcos -- are upholding the family tradition while staying connected to their roots.
CAMARILLO, Calif. -- The sizzle and smell of burgers on the summertime grill could come from just about any backyard in America. Here in Southern California, an unexpected breeze makes for a welcome guest on a sunny afternoon. Jaime Jaquez Sr. embraces it joyfully while grilling for his parents and three children. At the table, the three generations gather to mingle in two languages about their shared passion: sports.
Ezequiel Jaquez started his family's college basketball legacy, but he wasn't the only one of his siblings to excel in sports. His brother Richard played rookie ball in the Colt .45s organization. Jaimito, as he is known within the family, is the first Jaquez to reach the highest professional level of his sport, though others before him have flirted with the big leagues.organization in 1964.
All three of the couple's three children were given Hispanic first names to instill a sense of tradition for the homeland of their paternal ancestors. Jaime Jr.'s dunk over a projection of Mexico's flag was one of the more memorable moments from the 2024 All-Star Weekend. As Jaquez finished prep for his dunk, the on-court video displayed the names of former Mexican NBA players and relayed a final, poignant message:"The legacy lives on."
"I would definitely love to play in the WNBA," Gabriela says."The women's side of basketball is very diverse. But the Mexican community in is pretty slim. I definitely hope to grow that."Like Jaime before her, Gabriela plays for a UCLA program steeped in a tradition that regularly sends its players to the next level. UCLA had six of its players on WNBA preseason rosters at the start of its current season.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Exclusive American Homeboy Trailer Previews Documentary About Mexican American CultureComingSoon can exclusively debut the trailer for Freestyle Digital Media's American Homeboy, a new documentary from Brandon Loran Maxwell.
Read more »
ACL Preview: That Mexican OT Mixes Charm and Ferocious Delivery“Ain’t no Mexican like a Texas Mexican”
Read more »
Mexican-American art exhibit explores the feeling of being 'in between'Angelika Albaladejo joined Denver7 in January 2023 as part of the Scripps News Journalism Journey Initiative aimed at bringing print journalists into the world of TV news.
Read more »
‘American Mariachi’ is a joyful story of music and Mexican culture on N.J. stageMariachi music is a fount of culture, community, resistance and joy
Read more »
Trump comments on Jews unnerve this Mexican-AmericanTwelve years ago, I returned from a life-changing trip to Israel with a priceless souvenir: an epiphany that Jewish Americans and Mexican Americans have a lot in common. Both have proud immigrant h…
Read more »
Viva Dieciseis returns to The Pearl: celebrating Mexican-American cultureSAN ANTONIO - The Pearl has announced a impressive collection of public events stretching through the rest of this year, highlighting the ritch culture of the c
Read more »