- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,171,373
- Reaction score
- 59
The Kentucky Wildcats used to be a powerhouse of top-five picks, but that could be the days of old. Nonetheless, when the news broke that they were adding Jayden Quaintance for this past season, he was widely expected to be their next top-ten selection to the NBA. However, last season certainly didn't go as planned for all parties.
JQ, who suffered a torn ACL in February of 2025, missed the bulk of the season and played in just four games. Not only did that raise suspicions as to how his health could hold up long term, but it didn't do anything positive for his stock like competing could have. He ended up averaging just five points and five rebounds per game throughout those four games, shooting 57.1% from the field.
Still, many expected him to be a lottery pick. Quintance's stock has been falling, and there's a chance he drops out of the first round. However, USA Today's Bryan Kalbrosky expected the potential star big man to be in the mid-to-late first round. In an updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft, he has Quaintance selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks.
"The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that may need frontcourt help, like the Hawks.... While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA," Kalbrosky wrote.
Quaintance played his freshman season at Arizona State, and that's really where he started to shine prior to that injury. The jury is out on just how good he could be, and in the late first round, he could be one of the draft's steals.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Where USA Today expects Jayden Quaintance to be drafted
Continue reading...
JQ, who suffered a torn ACL in February of 2025, missed the bulk of the season and played in just four games. Not only did that raise suspicions as to how his health could hold up long term, but it didn't do anything positive for his stock like competing could have. He ended up averaging just five points and five rebounds per game throughout those four games, shooting 57.1% from the field.
Still, many expected him to be a lottery pick. Quintance's stock has been falling, and there's a chance he drops out of the first round. However, USA Today's Bryan Kalbrosky expected the potential star big man to be in the mid-to-late first round. In an updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft, he has Quaintance selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks.
"The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that may need frontcourt help, like the Hawks.... While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA," Kalbrosky wrote.
Quaintance played his freshman season at Arizona State, and that's really where he started to shine prior to that injury. The jury is out on just how good he could be, and in the late first round, he could be one of the draft's steals.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Where USA Today expects Jayden Quaintance to be drafted
Continue reading...
