ASU's Jayden Quaintance Eyes Comeback After ACL Surgery: Transfer Portal Buzz and NBA Draft Outlook

Injury Update and Recovery Timeline

Arizona State freshman Jayden Quaintance, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA draft, underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee on March 19 at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. His father, Haminn Quaintance, confirmed the procedure to ESPN.

According to his medical team, Quaintance is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and is expected to be cleared for contact by September 2025. This timeline positions him for a potential return before the 2025-26 NCAA season tips off in November.

Transfer Portal and Future Plans

Quaintance, who made history as the fifth player in Big 12 history to earn All-Freshman and All-Defensive team honors in the same season, is also exploring entry into the NCAA transfer portal. His father emphasized the importance of finding the right program for his continued development.

"We're looking to put the right people around him," Haminn Quaintance told ESPN.

Standout Freshman Season

Despite being the youngest player in college basketball at 17 years old, Quaintance delivered an impressive stat line:

• 9.3 points per game
• 7.8 rebounds per game
• 2.6 blocks per game (ranking among the nation's best)

His 6-foot-10 frame, 7-foot-5 wingspan, and elite defensive instincts made him one of the most disruptive big men in the NCAA this season. Offensively, he showcased advanced skills for his age, including perimeter scoring and playmaking out of the pick-and-roll.

NBA Draft Implications

Due to the NBA’s age eligibility rules, Quaintance cannot declare for the draft until 2026 (he turns 19 in July 2007). Had he been eligible in 2025, scouts project he would have been a lottery pick. His unique combination of size, skill, and youth makes him one of the most intriguing long-term prospects in basketball.

"I'm planning on coming back better than last year," Quaintance told ESPN. "I'm already attacking my rehab aggressively."

What’s Next?

Wherever Quaintance lands—whether at Arizona State or a new program via the transfer portal—his development will be closely monitored by NBA scouts and college basketball analysts alike. His recovery progress and 2025-26 performance could solidify his status as a future NBA franchise cornerstone.

(Jonathan Givony covers the NBA draft for ESPN and is the founder of DraftExpress.com.)