HOME – About JQ
Born on July 11, 2007, in Cleveland, Ohio,
Jayden Quaintance, a name rapidly gaining prominence in collegiate basketball, is one of the youngest players in college basketball this season. At just 17 years old, he is already competing at a level that many players only reach after years of development. His rapid ascent from high school and grassroots basketball to becoming one of the best shot blockers in the NCAA has been nothing short of extraordinary, positioning him as one of the most promising young athletes in the sport.
Born on July 11, 2007, in Cleveland, Ohio, he later relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, and enrolled at Hillcrest Prep. His quest for growth led him to multiple institutions, including Dream City Christian in Glendale, Arizona, and eventually Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. This period of transition culminated in his reclassification from the class of 2025 to 2024.
Jayden Quaintance was an outstanding performer in the United States’ gold-winning team at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in 2023. His defensive presence and shooting skills made him a well-rounded player to watch and one of the top prospects in the 2024 class.
As a consensus five-star recruit, he was selected for the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game in his senior year. He attracted attention from premier basketball programs nationwide and initially committed to the University of Kentucky, signing a National Letter of Intent in November 2023. However, following head coach John Calipari’s departure, Quaintance sought a program aligning with his aspirations, leading to his commitment to Arizona State University (ASU) on April 29, 2024.
Jayden Quaintance made an immediate impact upon joining the Sun Devils. Standing 6 feet 9 inches and weighing 225 pounds, he became the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to ASU and proved his value throughout the season with his exceptional athleticism on both ends of the court. On February 23, 2025, during a game against Kansas State, Quaintance delivered a stellar performance, contributing 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals over 26 minutes.
As a big man, Quaintance averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game through the season, showcasing his ability to protect the rim while also being a scoring threat. His defensive prowess earned him spots on both the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.
Jayden Quaintance’s potential remains highly regarded. As a freshman, he is the youngest player in college basketball and leads the nation in blocks. His defensive capabilities and shot-blocking ability have earned him recognition as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft, with ESPN projecting him as the No. 5 prospect.
| STATS | GIP | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 24 | 29.7 | 52.5 | 18.8 | 47.9 | 7.9 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 9.4 |
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | MIN | FG% | FT% | 3P% | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2/24 | @ KSU | W 66-54 | 26 | 72.7 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| Wed 2/19 | Vs HU 5HOU | L 80-65 | 13 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Mon 2/10 | @ OKST | L 86-73 | 9 | 100.0 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Wed 2/5 | VS KSU | L 71-70 | 33 | 14.3 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Sat 2/1 | VS ARIZ | L 71-72 | 33 | 33.3 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
Jayden Quaintance, a name rapidly gaining prominence in collegiate basketball, is one of the youngest players in college basketball this season.