Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance decides on his future

The Kentucky Wildcats and coach Mark Pope had high hopes for Jayden Quaintance. They signed him from the transfer portal after a terrific freshman season that ended early due to a knee injury, and expected him to be a major factor in SEC play and the postseason. Unfortunately, it didn't play out that way.

Quaintance came back in December, as planned, but swelling in the knee forced him back out after just a few games, and he was never able to get healthy enough to return. The injury will likely cost him even more than his season too.

Coming into the year, it was assumed that Quantance would play at Kentucky this year, then head to the NBA draft and be picked in the top ten, maybe even top five. However, at this point, his stock has dropped quite a bit, and mock drafts have him falling out of the top ten, potentially costing him quite a bit of money. So some speculated that he could return to college and play a year to raise his stock once again.

He put that to rest on Tuesday.

Quaintance has told Kentucky Sports Radio that he is declaring for the NBA draft. His college career comes to a somewhat disappointing end, but he has the potential to be a very good player at the next level. He's an excellent defender and rebounder with an offensive game that could develop. We wish him good luck at the draft, and in his NBA career.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball's Jayden Quaintance makes NBA draft decision