Kentucky’s new 6’10” phenom is coming for college basketball’s crown — and the nation still hasn’t caught on.
A Shocking Snub from Andy Katz
College basketball analyst Andy Katz recently dropped his list of the Top 10 Transfers for the 2025–26 season — and somehow, Jayden Quaintance’s name wasn’t on it.
That’s right: the same 6’10”, 17-year-old prodigy who dominated Pac-12 frontcourts as a freshman at Arizona State didn’t even make the cut.
For Kentucky fans, that omission borders on ridiculous. For everyone else, it’s a wake-up call.
The Transfer Kentucky Couldn’t Believe It Landed
When new Wildcats head coach Mark Pope hit the transfer portal this offseason, he didn’t just look for experienced upperclassmen — he went for a future NBA lottery pick.
Landing Quaintance was the kind of move that instantly raised Kentucky’s national title ceiling.
Last season at Arizona State, the then-freshman averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.5 assists per game, flashing elite defensive instincts and advanced footwork for his age. Coaches around the league raved about his timing, mobility, and maturity — rare traits for someone who played the season as a teenager.
The Setback That Might Be Setting Up a Comeback
Near the end of his freshman campaign, Quaintance tore his ACL — a devastating blow at the time. But Kentucky insiders report that his recovery has gone exceptionally well.
He’s expected to be back on the court before SEC play begins, and those close to the program say he’s already regaining explosiveness in individual workouts.
“He’s rehabbing like a pro,” one Wildcats staff member said. “When he comes back, people are going to realize how special he really is.”
The Stats Don’t Lie — He’s a Future Superstar
Even as a true freshman, Quaintance ranked among the nation’s top rim protectors. His 2.6 blocks per game would have been top-10 in most seasons, and his defensive rating was elite for any position.
More importantly, he showed flashes of a complete offensive game — comfortable facing up, passing out of the post, and running the floor like a wing.
If healthy, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t average a double-double this season while anchoring one of the best defenses in the country.
Why Leaving Him Off the Top-10 List Is Absurd
Katz’s list featured solid transfers — but none with Quaintance’s upside.
Players like Jaland Lowe, Kam Williams, and Mo Dioubate are talented additions for Kentucky, but even they would admit that Quaintance’s ceiling is on another level.
Leaving him off any “top transfers” ranking isn’t just a mistake — it’s a statement that some in the national media still haven’t realized how quickly college basketball is changing.
A Star in the Making — And the Key to a Title Run
Make no mistake: Jayden Quaintance could be the difference between Kentucky being good and being great.
Once he’s fully healthy, the Wildcats will have a rim-running, shot-blocking, game-changing big man capable of taking over both ends of the floor.
If Kentucky’s supporting cast gels around him — and if Pope’s system maximizes his mobility — this team could legitimately win the national championship in Year 2 of the Mark Pope era.
So go ahead and doubt him now.
Because by March, Jayden Quaintance won’t just be one of the top transfers — he’ll be one of the top players in college basketball, period.
Bottom Line
Leaving Jayden Quaintance off a top-10 transfer list isn’t just an oversight — it’s a sign that the rest of the country hasn’t been paying attention.
But Kentucky has.
And when the Wildcats’ new big man finally steps back onto the court at Rupp Arena, everyone else will too.
