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Consensus five-star prospect Jayden Quaintance, a consensus top 10 player in the 2024 recruiting class, committed to Kentucky Tuesday and immediately signed with the Wildcats.
The 6-10, 230-pound Quaintance picked UK over Missouri and has a very bright future since he’s only 16 years old and will not be 17 until July. He will not be eligible for the NBA draft until 2026 even though he could opt to leave UK for the G-League after one season or to play professionally overseas.
Playing for the Word of God Christian Academy (N.C.) in Overtime Elite against older players, Quaintance averaged 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game during the 2022-23 regular season. In the playoffs, he averaged 12.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.0 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game.
Last summer he played for Team Thad — the same team former Woodford County standout Jasper Johnson was on — and averaged 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game during Nike EYBL play.
FoxSports Radio national personality Aaron Torres called Quaintance a “MONSTER” get for Calipari on X.
“Quaintance is a legit 6’-10 with insane skill. Major talent as UK in the midst of ANOTHER elite class,” Torres posted on X.
Quaintance has been a priority target for UK coach John Calipari for months.
“We really liked the vision they had for Jayden and the direction for his future,” Quaintance’s father told 247Sports’ Eric Bossi. “We like their plan for his development and for getting him ready to take the next step.”
Calipari earlier got commitment from five-star point guard Boogie Fland along with five-star center Somto Cyril. Sunday the Cats landed four-star Lyon County guard Travis Perry, Kentucky’s all-time leading scorer.
Analysts don’t anticipate Quaintance and Cyril having any trouble playing together as Cyril is primarily an inside force while Quaintance is the new big who can hit a 3, handle the ball and play on the perimeter.
He was not offered a scholarship until June 25 but Calipari went all-in for him after making the offer. The Cleveland, Ohio, native plays for the same school that former UK All-American John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after one year at UK, did.
Kentucky’s 2024 class is now ranked No. 6 nationally in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
