The Kentucky Wildcats had a solid 2024-25 season, where they advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA tournament. They made a positive impression despite losing to the Tennessee Volunteers to end their national championship quest.
Mark Pope will take on his second season with the Wildcats with high expectations after posting a 24-12 (10-8 in the conference) record in 2024. Among their additions, Kentucky fans will have Arizona State transfer center Jayden Quaintance.
He initially committed to Kentucky during John Calipari’s tenure before heading to ASU, where he played his freshman season and averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Quaintance is already drawing a lot of attention, with people predicting a solid sophomore season for the Cleveland native.
Analyst believes Jayden Quaintance will have big role in Kentucky
Andrew Stefaniak of the Kentucky Wildcats on SI expressed his excitement about Jayden Quaintance’s potential with the Wildcats. On Monday, the analyst made a strong prediction about the player’s second college season.
Mark Pope the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats
“Quaintance is going into his second season in college hoops, and this season at Kentucky, he is going to be special. It would not come as any kind of surprise for Quaintance to average a double-double while leading college basketball in blocks. The 6’10 center is truly this good. If Quaintance can continue to improve his jump shot and become a threat from deep, he will be one of the best players in all of college basketball. There is a reason why Quaintance is projected to be a top ten pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he will show why this season in Lexington,” he wrote.
The Wildcats could be a threat to the top teams in DI next season, and Quaintance could lead them to the top.
