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Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance Declares for 2026 NBA Draft

The decision forces teams to weigh long-term upside against fresh knee concerns.

Overview

  • Quaintance, who told Kentucky Sports Radio on Tuesday, will enter the 2026 NBA draft.
  • A December return from an ACL tear lasted four games at Kentucky as knee swelling sidelined him for the rest of the season.
  • He closed his brief Wildcats stint averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds after a strong Dec. 20 debut that featured 10 points, eight boards and two blocks.
  • As an Arizona State freshman in 2024-25 he averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks and earned Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Freshman honors before the ACL injury in February 2025.
  • Mock drafts now slot him outside the top 10, though scouts still cite lottery potential thanks to his rim protection and the fact he does not turn 19 until July.