“One of the best defensive prospects I’ve ever evaluated.”
Mark Pope just landed what’s arguably his biggest commitment since becoming the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Jayden Quaintance, a former top-10 recruit and one of the best young frontcourt players in college basketball this season, is now taking his talents to Lexington, committing to Kentucky over the Auburn Tigers on Tuesday. The former Wildcat pledge under John Calipari will now finally rock that Kentucky jersey as long as he’s able to recover from ACL surgery.
The 6-foot-9 Quaintance is currently ranked sixth overall in the 2025 transfer portal cycle via 247 Sports. As a high school prospect, Quaintance was ranked as high as fifth overall by On3. He’s the highest-ranked transfer or high school recruit Pope has landed since being in Lexington for just one full year now.
BIG get, to say the least.
Now, let’s take a look at how Twitter celebrated the big news for Kentucky basketball!
— Cody Fueger (@Cody_Fueger) April 8, 2025
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 8, 2025
https://t.co/V38q6IVaz6 pic.twitter.com/mZIGt1z7XU
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) April 8, 2025
Listening to his final radio show, it was clear Mark Pope knew he needed to make some adjustments to how they do things. Just being a shooting team who runs great stuff wasn’t going to be enough in the SEC. Had to get tougher, more athletic and better defensively. He’s done that.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) April 8, 2025
For Kentucky fans curious about Jayden Quaintance in short: he is a unicorn talent.
At just 17 years old (!), he’s one of the best defensive prospects I’ve ever evaluated — he sits at the table with some of the best underclassmen defensive prospects over the years.
Get hyped. https://t.co/76g20xWQfW pic.twitter.com/AjRwIpsqXO
— Mohamed (@mcfdraft) April 8, 2025
Looking at the Mark Pope can’t recruit crowd. pic.twitter.com/LHa4RxZkTx
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 8, 2025
Really strong pickup by Mark Pope. He’s added rim protection and grown man physicality in the post. https://t.co/YzYUOL17xz
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) April 8, 2025
️BBN
️ @KentuckyMBB IS JUST DIFFERENT #BBN #ItsJustDifferent pic.twitter.com/CgHuOyr1qI
— Alvin Brooks III (@Coach_AB3) April 8, 2025
What I can say: Coaching and development was a huge priority for the Quaintance camp after last season at Arizona State.
They saw what Mark Pope did with his squad in 2024-25 and were clearly impressed.
Assuming health (Jayden just had surgery) Cats got themselves a STAR
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 8, 2025
As a team last season, Kentucky blocked 145 shots.
Jayden Quaintance (63), Kam Williams (35), and Mo Dioubate (25) combined for 123.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) April 8, 2025
Jayden Quaintance is on board, and here is the current 12-man Kentucky roster by the numbers. One spot remaining, assuming no other departures. pic.twitter.com/WFGRDZqU4M
— Alex Weber (@alexhweber) April 8, 2025
Just landed from flight, did I miss anything? pic.twitter.com/RMmCjKIOO8
— Mikhail McLean (@Coach_McLean) April 8, 2025
Who’s in the house tonight? pic.twitter.com/7qKri6Az0F
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 8, 2025
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