Ranking the 5 best rookies in Heat history: Jaime Jaquez Jr. among elite company

The 2024 Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be a bit unexpected. Heading into the year, there was no doubt that the seven-foot-five phenom Victor Webmanyama would lap the competition and stake his claim as the next guy up. The 2022 second-overall pick, Chet Holmgren, had other plans in mind. Holmgren is off to an All-Star level start and may snatch the ROY crown.

Hot on the heels of these promising bigs is Jamie Jaquez Jr., who has emerged as the third-best rookie so far. His consistent contributions to winning games could catapult him into the top two. He's on track to secure a spot on the All-Rookie first team, but how does his remarkable start stack up against other Heat rookies? This comparison is sure to pique your interest.

5. Michael Beasley

2008-2009: 13.9 PPG 5.4 RPG 47 FG%

The pure-scoring Michael Beasley kicks off our top-five Heat rookies list. Picked second overall out of Kansas State, Beasley was destined to be one of the best scorers in the world. He was tough to guard as a left-handed, physically imposing, bully-ball scorer.

Even though he used his strength a lot, Beasley was still skilled. He could face up, destroy bigs, and dominate small guards who were quicker than him. Things didn't quite work out for him in Miami in the long run, but the bucket-getter still earned a spot on this list.