Kentucky basketball sophomore big man Jayden Quaintance is making significant strides in his recovery from ACL surgery and could be back on campus sooner than expected.
Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio, speaking on Kentucky Roll Call, said he has heard that the 6-foot-10 center’s rehab is moving faster than anticipated.
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“I have heard that Jayden is only going to be out of town for a week because he’s coming back early to begin the ramp-up process for his recovery,” Pilgrim said. “Supposedly, things are just going unbelievably well, and they’re going to now transition into the running and all the other fun stuff that comes with inching closer and closer to actual availability.”
Quaintance, one of the youngest players in college basketball this season, joined Kentucky as a prominent transfer despite undergoing ACL surgery.
If his rehab continues to progress at its current pace, Quaintance could rejoin team activities earlier than projected, potentially giving Kentucky an important boost sometime in the first half of the season. His combination of length and mobility made him one of the most intriguing additions to Mark Pope’s roster, and an accelerated return would add depth and versatility to the rotation.
While Kentucky has not announced an official timetable, the early optimism surrounding Quaintance’s recovery is a welcome development for a team with postseason ambitions.
