A Miami Heat Rookie Gets Checkmated

They headed for a chessboard, which was set up at mid-court on a high-top table. Play began quickly. “I don’t like trading pieces,” Jaquez said, after doing so. “Especially when someone’s better than me.” Adewumi considered capturing a pawn, then brought a bishop forward instead. He asked how Jaquez liked his teammates. “A lot of cool guys,” Jaquez said. Then: “Oh, my God ”—Adewumi had snagged an unsuspecting rook. A few moves later, Jaquez recognized that his king was in checkmate. He laughed and extended a congratulatory hand. “You did play well at the start,” Adewumi said. He smiled impishly.