Jayden Quaintance declares for NBA draft: His latest mock projections
TL;DR
Kentucky sophomore Jayden Quaintance has declared for the 2026 NBA draft after a season limited by injury. He averaged five points and five rebounds in four games this past season, following a strong freshman year at Arizona State.
Kentucky sophomore Jayden Quaintance announced Tuesday on Instagram that he will be declaring for the 2026 NBA draft after one year with the Wildcats.
Quaintance was limited to just four games this past season, including one start, after dealing with a knee injury that also cut his freshman year short at Arizona State. He averaged five points and five rebounds while shooting 57.1% from the field.
The 6-foot-10 forward debuted on Dec. 20, recording a season-high 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots in a win over St. John's. He managed only 10 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block over his next three appearances.
Before suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in February 2025, Quaintance averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.5 assists in 24 games with the Sun Devils. He set freshman program records for blocks (63) and rebounds per game.
The 18-year-old is projected to be a mid-first-round pick because of his defensive skill set and size at 255 pounds. He also showcased a growing offensive game, but it is his shot-blocking and potential as a rim protector that have stood out the most to this point in his career.
Quaintance will need to prove that he is completely healthy throughout the predraft process after missing most of the season with his injury. As a result, his draft stock may fluctuate as teams evaluate his knee and potential on the court.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Kentucky news: Sophomore Jayden Quaintance declares for 2026 NBA draft
Q&A
What were Jayden Quaintance's stats during his freshman year at Arizona State?
In his freshman year at Arizona State, Jayden Quaintance averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.5 assists over 24 games.
How many games did Jayden Quaintance play this season at Kentucky?
Jayden Quaintance played only four games this season at Kentucky due to a knee injury.
What injury did Jayden Quaintance suffer that affected his college career?
Jayden Quaintance suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in February 2025, which limited his playing time during his sophomore season.
