Born in 2007, he made such an early entrance into college basketball that he wasn’t even eligible for the NBA Draft following a freshman season in which he earned Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors with Bobby Hurley’s Arizona State squad. Despite his impressive presence as a hyper-athletic 6-foot-9 defensive force, the Sun Devils endured a rough year, finishing with a 4-16 record in conference play. Looking to elevate his game before entering the highly anticipated 2026 NBA Draft—where he’s projected as a potential top-10 pick—he opted for a new environment better suited for his development.
Now just 17 years old and not turning 18 until mid-summer, he has committed to an SEC powerhouse, choosing to join Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats. It’s a move that appears to be spot-on, as Kentucky offers an ideal setting for him to grow and boost his draft stock ahead of next season.
Kentucky Lands Former 5-Star Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State
Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Jayden Quaintance brings ideal size for a college center. However, some NBA scouts question whether he has the prototypical skill set for his position at the next level, seeing him more as a power forward without a consistent shooting touch. But in Mark Pope’s motion-oriented, four-out offense at Kentucky, shooting won’t be a requirement. Instead, Quaintance will be able to fully utilize his natural strengths and could see his draft stock rise while helping turn the Wildcats into legitimate national championship contenders.
Last season, Kentucky relied on 7-foot center Amari Williams to act as a playmaker when guards Kerr Kriisa, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson were sidelined with injuries. Williams initiated offense from the high post and top of the key. While Quaintance isn’t quite at that level as a passer, his 10.8% assist rate in a struggling Arizona State offense shows promise.
He reads defenses well, passing effectively out of double-teams and short rolls to hit cutters and open shooters. That skill will flourish under Pope, as will his ability to attack off the dribble. For a 17-year-old with a seven-foot-plus wingspan, his ball-handling is surprisingly polished.
Kentucky’s improved spacing — boosted by the addition of Kam Williams, a 6-foot-8 Tulane transfer who shot over 40% from three on nearly five attempts per game, and the return of Otega Oweh, Colin Chandler, and Trent Noah — should create plenty of one-on-one opportunities for Quaintance. Whether he’s facing up from the mid-post or driving past slower SEC bigs, he’ll have room to work.
Offensively, Quaintance thrives most as a rim-runner in pick-and-rolls and transition, but his all-around game will stand out in Lexington. Defensively, he’s already proven his value — Arizona State was 17.1 points per 100 possessions better on defense when he was on the floor, according to CBBanalytics.com. He’s a true anchor on that end, which remains his most valuable asset.
Along with Quaintance and Kam Williams, Mark Pope has added Jaland Lowe, a speedy downhill guard from Pitt who has shooting potential, and Mouhamed Dioubate, a versatile and athletic wing from Alabama. As Kentucky builds out its Year 2 roster under Pope, it’s clear the five-star freshman center will play a pivotal role.
