Jaime Jaquez opens up on UCLA's 'storybook' end to regular season

The storybook conclusion to UCLA’s 2022-23 season wrapped up fairly perfectly for Jaime Jaquez, Tyger Campbell, David Singleton and the rest of the Bruins. Going up against their biggest Pac-12 threat in Arizona, the Bruins won 82-73 to finish the season with an undefeated record at Pauley Pavilion.

Jaquez led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds while Campbell added 21 points and four assists and Singleton scored 17 points with five made 3-point baskets. The one downside to the game was an injury to key guard Jaylen Clark.

While the severity of Clark’s injury will make headlines over the coming days, Jaquez and the team were feeling sentimental about their journeys to UCLA in the postgame press conference. Sitting next to Singleton, Jaquez reflected on the four-year journey.

“I know me and him, we came in together,” Jaquez said. “I think it just a test to four years of really just hard work. We came into UCLA, or at least I did, and I know he can speak on this too, there was no one at the games. I think there was like $8 tickets to come to UCLA.”

“$2 Tickets,” Singleton added.

“$2 Tickets to come to UCLA,” Jaquez continued. “We were on a mission. We were on a mission to put UCLA back on top, put UCLA basketball to where it needs to be and where it should be and where it belongs. Two guys being from SoCal, we’re living a dream right now. To be able to be Pac-12 champs, win the way we did on our home court, get ready to go to Vegas and enjoy this Pac-12 championship. It’s literally like a script, a storybook to me.”

The storybook feel to his UCLA career is not just felt by Jaquez.

Singleton also emphasized how rewarding his experience was in Westwood and how much fun it has been to watch Jaquez grow into the player he has become.

“It is a dream come true,” Singleton said. “Me and Jaime, we’ve been going at it, high school, AAU. Once I saw he committed to UCLA, I thought, man, we’re gonna have a squad when he gets here. He obviously got better over the years. I’m proud of him. That’s my brother. I’m proud of all my brothers. I love them. I love all my fans. It’s it’s been a wild ride and we obviously had our ups and downs. But it’s about when you go up in March. I just love the school. I love everything about it.”