Born in 2007, Jayden Quaintance joined Arizona State at such a young age that he wasn’t even eligible for the NBA Draft after earning Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors as a freshman under Bobby Hurley. Despite his elite athleticism and 6-foot-9 frame as a defensive force, ASU struggled, finishing just 4-16 in conference play. With his sights set on a jump to the NBA—where he’s projected as a top-10 pick in the loaded 2026 draft class—Quaintance sought a new environment to further his development.
Now, the 17-year-old (who won’t turn 18 until mid-summer) has found that next step with SEC powerhouse Kentucky. Choosing Mark Pope’s Wildcats looks like a smart move, as Quaintance is an ideal fit for Pope’s system and will have every opportunity to elevate his draft stock during his time in Lexington.
NEWS: Arizona State transfer big man Jayden Quaintance, one of the top players in the portal, has committed to Kentucky, source told @On3sports.
The 6-10 freshman and former 5⭐️ recruit averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks a game. https://t.co/KSKNgjsvjc pic.twitter.com/TE3dnfb9Bn
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 8, 2025
Kentucky Lands Former 5-Star Big Man Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State
Jayden Quaintance, a former five-star recruit, is officially heading to Lexington after transferring from Arizona State — and it’s a major win for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. Standing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Quaintance brings elite size and defensive presence to the frontcourt. Though some NBA scouts question if he fits the pro mold — calling him an NBA-level skillset in a power forward’s body — he won’t need to stretch the floor as a shooter in Pope’s motion-heavy, four-out offense.
At Kentucky, Quaintance will be in a system that plays directly to his strengths. He’ll have space to operate, room to drive, and opportunities to impact the game as a facilitator. While he’s not the playmaker that last season’s 7-foot center Amari Williams proved to be during a stretch of injuries, Quaintance did flash impressive passing instincts at Arizona State. Despite being in a disjointed offense, he posted a 10.8% assist rate — a strong mark for a big man.
He reads defenses well, makes smart passes out of double-teams, and excels in the short roll, often finding shooters or cutters with ease. His advanced feel, paired with his surprising ball-handling ability for a 17-year-old with a massive wingspan, makes him a nightmare matchup, especially when Kentucky’s floor is spaced with weapons like Tulane transfer Kam Williams — a 6-foot-8 sharpshooter who hit over 40% of his threes as a freshman — and returnees Otega Oweh, Colin Chandler, and Trent Noah.
With that supporting cast, Quaintance will have the freedom to attack in isolation, either from the mid-post or off the bounce against slower-footed SEC bigs. Offensively, his greatest strength may still be as a rim-runner and lob threat in transition, but nearly every aspect of his game is poised to take a leap in Lexington.
Defensively, his value is already proven. According to CBBAnalytics.com, Arizona State was 17.1 points better per 100 possessions with Quaintance on the floor last season. He’s a true defensive anchor — and that alone makes him one of the most valuable additions in the portal.
Quaintance joins Kam Williams, dynamic Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, and Alabama wing Mouhamed Dioubate in Pope’s growing 2024-25 class. With a roster starting to take shape in Year 2 under Pope, it’s clear the Wildcats just added a cornerstone piece in Jayden Quaintance.
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