Mark Pope has not ruled out Jayden Quaintance playing against Rick Pitino's team. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Pope hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Jayden Quaintance making his debut against St. John’s on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta.
“We’ll see,” Pope said Thursday. “He’s been out of basketball for nine months and crossed halfcourt for the first time in a drill two days ago … he’s done an unbelievable job on his rehab and he’s kept up with everything in terms of having an off-the-court concept of what we’re trying to do. Every day is probably going to paint a clearer picture for us.”
The Arizona State transfer has been recovering from an ACL injury and Tuesday was the first time Quaintance “crossed half court and did some drill work.”
“That was good,” Pope said. “We’ll see how he is (Thursday), and he’s making incredible progress. It’s kind of a day-by-day thing. Once he’s confident and healthy and cleared, we’ll roll.”
Once cleared, Pope is anxious to see how Quaintance performs on the court, especially on the defensive end of the court.
“He’s proven to have an incredible impact on the defensive end of the floor in terms of his mobility, his physicality and his rim protection. He’s got the capability to be an elite-level transition offensive player. He takes up space offensively.
“I think he’s a guy that we could live with (being) in isolation a little bit or he’d go to work. I think he’s a high IQ player that’s going to really pick up the feel of how we play quickly. I think he’s a terrific talent and a great kid and we expect good things (from him).”
10 Responses
I don't know why Pope is being such a bitch about JQ playing unless he knows he is not going to play and is buying time for the team to come together.
I’m So Sick of hearing about this No Show! Pope may be having that warm feeling going down his leg talking about him but I’m sick of it! This guy will be the anchor around Pope’s neck that sends him to the bottom of the Deep Blue Sea! The way the Used Car Salesman didn’t play Sharpe made my feelings toward him change! It showed he cared more about getting him into the NBA than Kentucky that was paying the SOB millions!!
If he gets to full speed, your going to think SHOW
Man what a deal. Getting paid handsomely for nothing..great deal..
JQ is ready to play and St.Johns was the target game. If he doesn't play, it means Pope would rather take a loss without him than take a chance of losing with him.
I think you are right Jimmy. If he plays JQ and loses, he doesn't have anymore excuses. The Johnnies are hitting their stride now.
I just read on KSR by source that JQ will be playing tomorrow.
I just read on KSR by source that JQ will be playing tomorrow.
He'll play 5 minutes and we lose and some people will lose their minds
I got a gut feeling we will pulled this out.