Arizona State’s Jayden Quaintance, the youngest player in Division I basketball and a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has undergone successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
The 17-year-old phenom, who earned spots on both the Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams despite ASU’s struggles, had the procedure on March 19 at Phoenix’s Mayo Clinic.
Surgery Success and Recovery Timeline
According to Haminn Quaintance, Jayden’s father the talented forward is expected to be cleared for full contact by September 2025 in time for the 2025-26 college basketball season.
However, in a surprising development that could reshape next season’s college basketball landscape, the Quaintance family has confirmed they will explore entering the NCAA transfer portal when it opens later this month.
The successful ACL repair marks a crucial turning point for Quaintance who last played on February 23 against Kansas State scoring 18 points before being sidelined. His father reported to ESPN that the procedure went well beginning what will be a crucial six months recovery period that aligns with typical ACL rehabilitation protocols.
NEWS: Arizona State’s Jayden Quaintance, a projected top-5 pick in the 2026 Draft, underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, his father Haminn told ESPN.
He’ll be cleared for contact by September, and will explore entering the transfer portal.
STORY: https://t.co/s7FK4zfnBo pic.twitter.com/VfcHI4l0kN
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 2, 2025
Despite the injury setback, Quaintance appears determined to return stronger than ever. He’s “planning on coming back better than last year,” his father told ESPN, demonstrating the family’s confidence in his recovery.
The projected September clearance date would give him adequate time to prepare for the 2025-26 season, though he would likely miss summer workouts.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley has previously praised Quaintance’s impact noting his ability to make “winning plays” beyond what appears in the stat sheet. This makes the potential transfer news all the more significant for a Sun Devils program that struggled to a 13-19 overall record (4-16 in Big 12 play) despite Quaintance’s contributions.
Before his injury, the versatile 6’10” freshman averaged 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks across 29 minutes per game. His defensive prowess and exceptional wingspan have made him a particularly enticing NBA prospect known for his shot blocking, mobility and versatility on both ends of the court.
Transfer Portal Implications
Quaintance’s potential entry into the transfer portal would immediately make him one of the most coveted players available. Given his NBA trajectory and rare combination of youth and skill, powerhouse programs are already being linked to the freshman standout, with fans from Kentucky, Michigan State, and Houston expressing interest on social media.
The timing of Quaintance’s transfer exploration coincides with significant roster turnover at Arizona State, with other players like Joson Sanon and Brandon Gardner also reportedly entering the portal. This instability might be a contributing factor in Quaintance’s decision to consider other opportunities for his development.
Financial considerations could also play a role in Quaintance’s decision-making process. According to reports, a player of his caliber could command upwards of $1 million in the current college sports marketplace, making him not just a valuable on-court addition but a significant investment for potential suitors.
Quaintance’s unique situation is that he is ineligible for the 2025 NBA Draft due to age requirements. This means he must spend at least one more year in college basketball. Born on July 11, 2007, he won’t meet the NBA’s age requirement until 2026, giving him critical time to recover fully and develop his game.
NBA executives will undoubtedly monitor his rehabilitation closely, as his defensive impact and offensive versatility make him a rare prospect.
While some skeptics question whether his draft stock can remain high post-injury, most projections still place him in the top five of the 2026 NBA Draft, with ESPN mock drafts listing him at No. 5 overall to the Toronto Raptors.
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As Quaintance begins his recovery journey his exploration of the transfer portal adds another layer to what promises to be one of college basketball’s most compelling offseason storylines.
For a player who has already demonstrated exceptional maturity by graduating high school early and succeeding as the youngest player in Division I, this next decision could prove just as pivotal to his promising basketball future.
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