Jaime Echenique
{{Short description|Colombian basketball player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Echenique|Salinas|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Jaime Echenique
| image = Echenique 2022.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Echenique at FIBA men's World Cup Qualifying game in 2022
| position = Center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 258
| league = Basketbol Süper Ligi
| team = Petkim Spor
| number = 26
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|04|27}}
| birth_place = Barranquilla, Colombia
| high_school = IED Pestalozzi
(Barranquilla, Colombia)
| college = * Trinity Valley CC (2016–2018)
- Wichita State (2018–2020)
| draft_year = 2020
| career_start = 2020
| career_end =
| years1 = 2020–2021
| team1 = Acunsa GBC
| years2 = 2021–2022
| team2 = Capital City Go-Go
| years3 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}
| team3 = Washington Wizards
| years4 = 2022–2023
| team4 = Motor City Cruise
| years5 = 2023
| team5 = Rytas Vilnius
| years6 = 2023–2024
| team6 = Promitheas Patras
| years7 = 2024–present
| team7 = Petkim Spor
| highlights = * Second-team All-AAC (2020)
}}
Jaime Jesús Echenique Salinas (born April 27, 1997) is a Colombian professional basketball player for Petkim Spor of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He played college basketball for the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals and the Wichita State Shockers.
Early life
Echenique grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia and joined a street gang called the LBs which was headed by a cousin.{{cite news |last=Moore |first=CJ |title=The odyssey of Jaime Echenique, from street kid in Colombia to center of attention at Wichita State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1275254/2019/10/10/the-odyssey-of-jaime-echenique-from-street-kid-in-colombia-to-center-of-attention-at-wichita-state/ |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=The Athletic |date=October 10, 2019}} Echenique gravitated towards basketball after playing baseball at a young age.{{cite news |last=Eldridge |first=Taylor |title=‘I know my worth’: Jaime Echenique learned to believe in himself and became a WSU star |url=https://www.kansas.com/article240994236.html |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 8, 2020}} He attended IED Pestalozzi and led its basketball team to four straight regional championships.{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Drake |title=Echenique looks to make a towering impact impact on the court |url=https://thesunflower.com/31414/sports/echenique-looks-to-make-a-towering-impact-impact-on-the-court/ |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=The Sunflower |date=November 7, 2018}} As a junior and senior, Echenique was named region MVP. After graduating from high school in December 2015, he received several offers to play professionally in Europe, but his father forced him to turn them down to focus on academics. With the idea of playing college basketball in the United States, Echenique joined an amateur club in Medellín and, two months later, a club in Bogotá that had international connections and helped him acquire a visa for the United States. Guy Furr, the head coach of Trinity Valley Community College, was informed of Echenique's talent by two Colombians on the roster, and he invited Echenique to Texas to work out.
College career
=Trinity Valley CC=
Echenique arrived in Dallas, Texas with no money and not speaking English fluently. He impressed coach Furr with his potential and received a scholarship from Trinity Valley Community College. During his freshman season, Echenique did not have much confidence and struggled with his conditioning, having never been pushed to exhaustion before. Nonetheless, he started 26 games as a freshman and averaged 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.{{cite news |title=Trinity Valley's Echenique commits to Wichita State |url=https://www.kake.com/story/36530632/trinity-valleys-echenique-commits-to-wichita-state |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=KAKE |date=October 5, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223204955/http://www.kake.com/story/36530632/trinity-valleys-echenique-commits-to-wichita-state |url-status=dead }} As a sophomore, Echenique averaged 9.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.{{cite web |last=Suellentrop |first=Paul |title=RH: Mixing Nice with Nasty on the Court |url=https://goshockers.com/news/2018/10/17/the-roundhouse-rh-mixing-nice-with-nasty-on-the-court.aspx |website=Wichita State Shockers |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |date=October 17, 2020}} In his sophomore season, a friend invited him to visit Wichita State and he became fond of the city of Wichita, Kansas. Echenique committed to the Shockers over offers from Baylor, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Illinois, and New Mexico.{{cite news |last=Sunner |first=Marshall |title=A pledge, Grand Theft Auto, and moving to America: Basketball isn’t Jaime Echenique’s only takeaway |url=https://thesunflower.com/49605/sports/a-pledge-grand-theft-auto-and-moving-to-america-basketball-isnt-jaime-echeniques-only-takeaway/ |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=The Sunflower |date=March 5, 2020}}
=Wichita State=
File:Jaime Echenique.jpg in 2019]]
After Echenique arrived at Wichita State, he collapsed after a workout, prompting him so see a cardiologist to see if he had a heart condition. The examination proved that his heart was healthy, Echenique just needed to work through his conditioning. As a junior, he averaged 9.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Echenique considered redshirting his senior season, an idea coach Gregg Marshall rejected. He missed several games in the beginning of the season with a fractured hand.{{cite news |title=WSU's Echenique out for a month with hand injury |url=https://www.kake.com/story/41240451/wsus-echenique-out-for-a-month-with-hand-injury |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=KAKE |date=October 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210014554/http://www.kake.com/story/41240451/wsus-echenique-out-for-a-month-with-hand-injury |url-status=dead }} He posted season highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds on January 15, 2020, in a 65–53 loss to Temple.{{cite web |title=Temple Snaps Shocker Streak |url=https://goshockers.com/news/2020/1/16/mens-basketball-temple-snaps-shocker-streak.aspx |website=Wichita State Shockers |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |date=January 15, 2020}} On February 20, Echenique tied a career high of 20 points and had a career-best 12-of-14 shooting from the foul line, along with nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals in a 65–55 victory over South Florida.{{cite news |last=Eldridge |first=Taylor |title=‘He’s definitely elite’: Wichita State’s Jaime Echenique is keeping the post-up alive |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article240514396.html |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=February 21, 2020}} As a senior, Echenique averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He earned Second Team All-AAC honors.{{cite web |title=Echenique Named Second Team All-Conference |url=https://goshockers.com/news/2020/3/10/mens-basketball-echenique-named-second-team-all-conference.aspx |website=Wichita State Shockers |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |date=March 10, 2020}}
Professional career
=Acunsa GBC (2020–2021)=
On August 11, 2020, Echenique signed his first professional contract with Acunsa GBC of the Spanish Liga ACB.{{cite web |title=Echenique inks at Gipuzkoa at the beginning of his pro career |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Spain/news/640283/Echenique-inks-at-Gipuzkoa-at-the-beginning-of-his-pro-career |website=Eurobasket |accessdate=August 13, 2020 |date=August 11, 2020}} He made his debut with the team on September 19, recording 10 points and four rebounds in an 86–70 loss to Real Madrid.{{cite web |title=Jaime Echenique brilla en su debut en Liga de baloncesto de España |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/deportes/otros-deportes/colombiano-jaime-echenique-debuto-en-la-liga-de-baloncesto-de-espana-KC13667481 |accessdate=September 20, 2020 |language=Spanish |date=September 19, 2020}} He averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game.
=Capital City Go-Go / Washington Wizards (2021–2022)=
In August 2021, Echenique joined the Washington Wizards for the 2021 NBA Summer League{{cite web|title=Wizards announce 2021 Summer League roster|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/wizards-announce-2021-summer-league-roster|work=NBA.com|date=August 4, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021}} and on September 21, he signed with the Wizards.{{cite tweet|author=Washington Wizards|number=1440478129382846464|title=OFFICIAL: We've signed the following players to Exhibit 10 contracts: □ Jaime Echenique □ Jordan Goodwin □ Jay Huff □ Jordan Schakel|user=WashWizards|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021}} Echenique was waived on October 16.{{cite web |last=Shaw |first=JD |title=Wizards Release Three Players |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/10/wizards-release-three-players.html |website=HoopsRumors |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=October 16, 2021}} In October 2021, he joined the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League as an affiliate player.{{cite web |title=Go-Go Announce Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/go-go-announce-training-camp-roster/n-5758523 |website=Our Sports Central |access-date=October 26, 2021 |date=October 26, 2021}} Echenique averaged 12.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor. On December 30, 2021, he signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards.{{cite web |last=Filyo |first=Jackson |date=December 30, 2021 |title=Wizards sign Jaime Echenique to 10-day contract |url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/wizards-sign-jaime-echenique-10-day-contract |access-date=December 30, 2021 |website=NBA.com}} On the same day, he made his NBA debut in a 110–93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the first Colombian in NBA history.{{cite web |date=January 7, 2022 |title=Wizards' Jaime Echenique becomes first Colombian to play in the NBA |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/wizard-s-jaime-echenique-becomes-first-colombian-to-play-in-the-nba |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=FIBA}} On January 9, 2022, Echenique was reacquired by the Capital City Go-Go.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League transactions|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 9, 2022}}
=Motor City Cruise (2022–2023)=
On December 22, 2022, Echenique was traded from the Capital City Go-Go to the Motor City Cruise.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=December 22, 2022|access-date=December 22, 2022}}
=Rytas Vilnius (2023)=
On April 14, 2023, Echenique signed with Rytas Vilnius of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|title=Traumą patyrusį M. Echodą „Ryto“ gretose keičia kolumbietis|url=https://www.rytasvilnius.lt/lt/naujienos/rytas/n/trauma-patyrusi-m-echoda-ryto-gretose-keicia-kolumbietis-1713/|website=rytasvilnius.lt|language=lt|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=April 16, 2023}}
=Promitheas Patras (2023–2024)=
On July 26, 2023, Echenique signed with Greek club Promitheas Patras.
=Petkim Spor (2024–present)=
On July 16, 2024, Echenique signed with Petkim Spor of the Basketbol Süper Ligi.{{cite web |last1=Yahyabeyoglu |first1=Fersu |title=Jaime Echenique ex Promitheas is a newcomer at Petkim |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Turkey/news/881892/Jaime-Echenique-ex-Promitheas-is-a-newcomer-at-Petkim |website=Eurobasket |access-date=July 16, 2024 |date=July 16, 2024}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Washington
| 1 || 0 || 3.0 || — || — || .500 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 1 || 0 || 3.0 || — || — || .500 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
{{S-end}}
=College=
==NCAA Division I==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Wichita State
| 37 || 34 || 17.9 || .543 || .387 || .649 || 6.0 || .4 || .5 || 1.4 || 9.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Wichita State
| 27 || 24 || 23.4 || .487 || .190 || .784 || 7.1 || .6 || .7 || 1.6 || 11.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 64 || 58 || 20.2 || .516 || .308 || .719 || 6.4 || .4 || .6 || 1.5 || 10.1
{{S-end}}
==JUCO==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| Trinity Valley CC
| 31 || 26 || — || .613 || — || .750 || 5.4 || .2 || .4 || 1.2 || 9.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Trinity Valley CC
| 33 || 3 || — || .575 || .500 || .697 || 6.1 || .2 || .2 || 2.0 || 9.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 64 || 29 || – || .593 || .500 || .721 || 5.8 || .2 || .3 || 1.6 || 9.1
{{S-end}}
Personal life
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaime-echenique/4213 Wichita State Shockers bio]
- [https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/bios/echenique_jaime_bjwv Trinity Valley CC Cardinals bio]
{{Petkim Spor current roster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Echenique, Jaime}}
Category:Capital City Go-Go players
Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Colombian expatriate basketball people in Lithuania
Category:Colombian expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:Colombian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Colombian men's basketball players
Category:Gipuzkoa Basket players
Category:Motor City Cruise players
Category:Promitheas Patras B.C. players
Category:Sportspeople from Barranquilla
Category:Trinity Valley Cardinals men's basketball players
Category:Undrafted NBA players