After all, Jayden Quaintance fits Kentucky.
The former Arizona State star undertook to train Mark Pope’s Wildcats on Tuesday, confirmed his father Haminn Pittoresa to ESPN.
Quaintance, a projected NBA lottery -election in 2026, announced last week that he was entering the transfer portal.
The 6-feet-9 approach originally became involved in Kentucky as a five-star recruitment in 2024 before reversing when coach John Calipari left to become head coach in Arkansas.
“We always liked Kentucky,” Haminn Quainance told ESPN. “… we always hoped they would come back and recruit him. It didn’t make sense for coach Pope last time and tried to put on one of Cal’s guys, but this time it really felt like he wanted him to be there.”
During its lonely season in Tempe, an average of 9.4 points, 7.9 returns and 2.6 blocked shots in 24 games (all starts). He made Big 12 all-defensive and all-Freshman teams but Sun Devils finished 13-20 (4-16).
Quaintance had surgery to repair a broken ACL in its right knee on March 19 but is expected to be cleared for contact in September.
Quaintance graduated from high school a year early and was only 16 when he arrived at Arizona State. He is not old enough to be eligible for the 2025 NBA draft because he does not turn 19 in July 2026.
Kentucky has been active in the transfer portal. In addition to picturesque, the Pope has received commitments from Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) and Kam Williams (Tulane).
-Field level media
