While most of the former Kentucky signees in the 2024 class have expressed a desire to go elsewhere, there is a positive development for one of its key signeees.
Jayden Quaintance, five-star forward and McDonald's All-American, is set to host Mark Pope on Tuesday, according to On3.com's Jamie Shaw.
Quaintance was granted a release from his NLI following the departure of John Calipari for Arkansas. Up to this point, Quaintance has a visit set to Memphis and in the process of visiting Arkansas later this weekend. He visited Louisville this past weekend.
What makes this so notable outside of potentially keeping an extremely talented player? Quaintance is just 16 years old and will not be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2026, meaning he would need to stay two years in college. That would certainly be a significant piece to the beginning of Pope's tenure.
In the NBPA Top 100 Camp this past summer, one of the standout non AAU events, Quaintance was a major standout, averaging 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
He had seven points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists in the McDonald's All-American game last month.
Quaintance is the No. 8 player in the 2024 class and the No. 2 center in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
This visit will continue to massive week for Kentucky, when it's exepcted to have a visitor on campus nearly 'every day'.
Kentucky is coming off of its first commitment in the transfer portal by securing a pledge from Drexel center Amari Williams. There is high expectation the next commit will be from BYU guard Richie Saunders, who wrapped up his visit on Monday.
Kentucky lost every player from its roster in 2023-24.