Note #052: Jayden Quaintance (Draft Question Mark)
A compelling 2026 NBA Draft prospect (selected 20th overall), Jayden Quaintance decided to go pro after a shortened sophomore season with Kentucky.
In 2025-26, his first season with the Wildcats, the 6'9" Quaintance (with 7'5"+ wingspan) appeared in just four games due to injury.
He began his career the year prior (2024-25) at Arizona State, and as a freshman Sun Devil posted (in 24 GP, 29.5 MP/G):
- 9.4 PPG
- 7.9 RPG
- 1.5 APG
- 1.1 SPG
- 2.6 BPG
Since 1947-48, only one freshman besides Quaintance has averaged 9+ PPG, 7.5+ RPG, 1.5+ APG, 1+ SPG, 2.5+ BPG in 29.5 MP/G or less:
Shaquille O'Neal (1989-90) - 13.9 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.6 BPG (32 GP, 28.2 MP/G)
If we remove the MP/G ceiling, just five more freshman met those per game benchmarks in the last ~78 years:
9-11 PPG
1. Nerlens Noel (2012-13) - 10.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 4.4 BPG! (24 GP, 31.9 MP/G)
11-16 PPG
2. Haminn Quaintance (2003-04) - 14.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 3.0 BPG (28 GP, 32.1 MP/G)
3. Chris Webber (1991-92) - 15.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.5 BPG (34 GP, 32.0 MP/G)
16+ PPG
4. Keith Lee (1981-82) - 18.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.5 BPG (29 GP, 35.9 MP/G)
5. Tunji Awojobi (1993-94) - 18.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.1 BPG (27 GP, 32.6 MP/G)
Like father, like son!?
Yes, Haminn Quaintance is Jayden Quaintance's dad!!
The 6'8" Haminn hit those baselines while at Jacksonville University.
Okay, let's reinstate the 29.5 MP/G threshold. One sophomore, since 1947-48, has reached the above per game numbers with that constraint:
Michael Southall (2002-03) - 12.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.5 BPG (27 GP, 28.2 MP/G)
And only one senior qualified:
Oliver Miller (1991-92) - 13.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.6 BPG (34 GP, 28.1 MP/G)
Miller also met this criteria in his junior season! Here are those stats, along with the three other juniors to qualify:
9-12 PPG
1. Larry Harrison (1977-78) - 11.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.8 BPG (29 GP, 28.7 MP/G)
12-15 PPG
2. Erik Nelson (1996-97) - 14.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.9 SPG, 3.3 BPG (22 GP, 28.2 MP/G)
15+ PPG
3. Oliver Miller (1990-91) - 15.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.9 BPG (38 GP, 24.5 MP/G!)
4. Brandon Clarke (2018-19) - 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.2 BPG (37 GP, 28.1 MP/G)
For fun, let's raise the MP/G ceiling slightly to 30 MP/G. Four more players enter the arena:
9-16 PPG
1. Neemias Queta (2020-21) - 14.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.3 BPG (29 GP, 30.0 MP/G)
2. Patrick Sullivan (2009-10) - 15.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.3 BPG (31 GP, 29.9 MP/G)
16-20 PPG
3. Javon McCrea (2012-13) - 18.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.6 BPG (34 GP, 30.0 MP/G)
20+ PPG
4. Kurt Thomas (1993-94) - 20.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.6 BPG (27 GP, 29.8 MP/G)
Sullivan was the only senior (the other three were juniors).
Webber's web is expanding: Note #002 (Flory Bidunga) / Note #048 (Rafael Castro).
Nelson, Queta, McCrea, and Thomas were also cited in the Castro Note.
Miller was a major piece of Note #022, on another big-time 2026 NBA Draft declarant Aday Mara.
R.I.P. Brandon Clarke: Note #022 / Note #048