Jayden Quaintance’s NBA Draft stock has taken a big hit at ESPN; Malachi Moreno is rising
Jayden Quaintance’s health is a big question mark, while Malachi Moreno could be in range of being drafted.
Dec 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jaland Lowe (15) reacts with center Malachi Moreno (24) and forward Jayden Quaintance (21) against the St. John Red Storm in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images The 2025-26 Kentucky Basketball season was filled with injuries, crazy moments, and more injuries.
Mark Pope’s team tried to overcome every obstacle that was thrown their way, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The Wildcats played the majority of their season without potential lottery pick Jayden Quaintance, who was rehabbing from a torn ACL, then played four games in early January before sitting out the remainder of the season due to knee swelling. Quaintance’s lack of playing time and his injury have had a lasting effect on his draft stock as he’s now projected to be picked well outside of the lottery range, according to Jermey Woo’s latest draft rankings at ESPN .
In the newest edition of Woo’s draft projections, the Cleveland (OH) native has dropped down to 20th overall on the draft board after widely being projected in the top 10 before the season began. There’s obvious concern about Quaintance, who played his freshman season at Arizona State and his sophomore year under Pope, that his knee did not heal within a normal timeframe, given that the injury sidelined him for over a full year. Although the 6-1o big man has not actually declared for the draft, it’s expected soon as the Wildcats are already in the process of building their roster for next season.
If Quaintance can prove he’s 100% healthy, then he’ll very likely go inside the first round, which may be enough to keep him from playing another season in college. Elsewhere in the ranking, Malachi Moreno moved all the way up to 60th overall after being unranked, meaning he could be within range of being a second-round pick if he remains in the draft. Moreno is currently testing the draft waters but is expected to return to Kentucky.