2026 NBA Draft Prospect Jayden Quaintance Transfers to Kentucky amid Injury Recovery

One year after backing out of a commitment to Kentucky following John Calipari's departure from the school, Jayden Quaintance has decided he wants to play in Lexington.

Haminn Quaintance, Jayden's father, told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Tuesday that his son has committed to the Wildcats.

Jayden entered the transfer portal last week after one season at Arizona State. It was also revealed at that time he underwent surgery on March 19 to repair a torn ACL.

Haminn told Givony last week that Jayden projects to be cleared for contact in September, putting him on track to potentially be available for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Quaintance, who reclassified to be in the 2024 recruiting class, was the youngest player in Division I college basketball last season. He won't turn 18 until July 11.

247Sports had Quaintance ranked as a 5-star recruit and No. 9 overall player in the 2024 class. It also had him as the sixth-best player in the transfer portal this year.

When Quaintance originally reclassified, he committed to Kentucky in November 2023. Following Calipari's departure in April 2024, Quaintance was released from his letter of intent and opted to attend Arizona State.

Since NBA rules require players turn 19 during the calendar year they are drafted, Quainance isn't eligible to turn pro until 2026. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman had him ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the 2026 class in a very-early top 20 released last November.

Despite being incredibly young for a college player, Quaintance didn't look overmatched as a freshman. He averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and recorded six double-doubles in 24 starts for the Sun Devils.

Quaintance is the seventh different player who is committed to Kentucky for next season between the transfer portal and incoming freshman class. He joins a group that includes Mouhamed Dioubate, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.

The Wildcats finished 24-12 in their first season under head coach Mark Pope. They earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and lost to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.