Jayden Quaintance met with UK media members Tuesday for the first time. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, a 17-year-old sophomore being projected as a 2026 NBA Draft lottery pick, will have a huge impact on coach Mark Pope’s second season at Kentucky if his rehab from knee surgery in February continues to go well.
The 6-foot-9 Quaintance made the Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams last season even though he tore his ACL against Kansas State on Feb. 23.
Quaintance explained to UK media members Tuesday exactly how he got hurt.
“I was loading up for a dunk, I got pushed a little bit in the back, and my knee collapsed in. In the moment, I didn’t really think much of it, just trying to get back in the game, but obviously, I did end up tearing it,” the sophomore, who had verbally committed to UK and John Calipari before flipping to Arizona State, said.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope has not rushed Quaintance’s rehab because he wants him fully ready for the second half of the season even though the player has insisted he will be full go early in the season.
“I’ve been feeling great. I’ve been progressing pretty well, I’ve been trusting the trainers and the coaches to try and get me right. Mentally, I’ve just been kinda focusing on the next step and also focusing on the moment. Been feeling really good,” Quaintance said during his 25-minute media session Tuesday.
He said he works on his shooting form during practice when he’s not able to participate in drills. He’s confident UK’s training staff and coaches are doing what is best for him.
“Just trusting them all the way through,” Quaintance said.
4 Responses
I've never seen anyone come back from a acl injury in 6 months. That's September. Even 8 month's is stretching it very far. The Louisville game will be 8 and a half months since his surgery.. The start of sec play will be 10 months from his surgery. I can see him practicing and setting a date close to the start of sec play to get back. Even the first month or 2 he's back I still don't see him playing 25-30 mpg. Probably closer to 15-20 mpg. Maybe by the time the sec tournament rolls around after a year from his surgery he should be playing upward of 22 mpg. Which about how much I see him playing this year. About 20 mpg. One slip up or another injury he might have to wait another year to hear his name called. Teams never invest in injury riddled players anymore. So its on him. If he comes back better than last year he's a lottery pick if he doesn't his stock can drop fast.
Just heard that were no longer in the picture for Jason Crowe top guard.
We have plenty of experienced guards/wings, even for next year. Missing on Crowe is no big deal.
That's true, but now a days that can change.