Jayden Quaintance re-commits to Kentucky basketball

Former Arizona State forward Jayden Quaintance has re-committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, nearly a year after initially decommitting when head coach John Calipari left for Arkansas. Quaintance, who had a standout freshman season averaging 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, chose Kentucky over several other schools, including Auburn and Kansas. He is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in February, but doctors expect him to be cleared for contact by September, aiming for a return in November for the 2025-26 season. His father noted that Kentucky's detailed recovery plan and offensive strategy for big men played a significant role in their decision. Quaintance is also projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, making his development crucial for the Wildcats. His commitment comes amid significant turnover at Arizona State, where multiple players have entered the transfer portal.