Kentucky basketball's Jayden Quaintance declares for NBA draft
Jayden Quaintance, who appeared in only four games for Kentucky basketball in 2025-26, is entering the NBA draft. He is expected to be a lottery pick.
LEXINGTON — Jayden Quaintance 's short career with the Kentucky basketball is over. It's just briefer than anyone around the Wildcats had hoped. As expected, the 6-foot-10, 255-pound sophomore forward on April 14 declared for the NBA draft .
Recovering from an ACL injury that ended his freshman season at Arizona State in February 2025, Quaintance appeared in only four games for UK and coach Mark Pope before departing Lexington. Despite his lack of court time during the 2025-26 season, Quaintance's potential as a rim protector, as well as his youth — he doesn't turn 19 until July — have him projected as a lottery pick in this year's draft. He leaves Kentucky having averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds a game.
Quaintance showcased his game-altering talent in his debut Dec. 20 in Atlanta, when UK faced St. John's (and former coach Rick Pitino ) in the CBS Sports Classic .
In 17 minutes off the bench, Quaintance tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in a 78-66 Kentucky victory at State Farm Arena . But that was as good as it got for Quaintance and the Cats. In his next three outings — against Bellarmine , Alabama and Missouri — he combined for only 10 points, 12 rebounds and one block.