ASU’s Jayden Quaintance Announces Transfer Destination

Quaintance picked Kentucky over offers from Auburn, Kansas, USC, Ohio State, and many others.

The 6'10 big man with a 7'5 wingspan is an electric rim protector thanks to his length, mobility, and instincts, and is a projected top five pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

Quaintance was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams, the fifth player in conference history to hold that distinction, after averaging 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in about 29 minutes per game...impressive feats made all the more remarkable considering he was the youngest player in all of college basketball last season, playing the entire year at age 17.

The big man injured his knee on Feb. 23 against Kansas State, and had surgery on March 19 to repair a torn ACL. According to his father, Jayden is expected to be cleared for contact six months following the injury, and should be ready to start the season in November.

"Kentucky presented us with a very detailed plan for how they plan on bringing Jayden back with the trainers and how they want to use him once he's healthy," Haminn Quaintance said. "The way that they use their big men as offensive hubs, he really fits into that system. Jayden didn't want to go somewhere where he'd just be a screener. Coach Pope made him feel really good. They went really deep on the analytics, going into things most coaches don't even think of."

Quaintance joins Pitt guard Jaland Lowe, Alabama big man Mouhamed Dioubate, and Tulane forward Kam Williams as early newcomers for Pope and the 'Cats, along with a trio of elite freshmen in Acaden Lewis, Jasper Johnson, and Malachi Moreno.