Former Kentucky Signee Could be MSU Basketball Target

Coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans could be in the mix for one of the nation's top players who just re-opened their recruitment -- forward Jayden Quaintance.

Coach John Calipari’s departure from Kentucky has already had nationwide ramifications in college basketball. After Coach Calipari announced he was leaving Kentucky for Arkansas, multiple Kentucky recruits re-opened their recruitment. Top-25 prospect Karter Knox and five-star forward Jayden Quaintance have decided to re-open their recruitment. 

According to ESPN, Quaintance recently requested his release from the letter of intent he signed to play at Kentucky. He was the highest-ranking member of Calipari's 2024 recruiting class. Quaintance's request to be released from his commitment to Kentucky came hours after Coach Calipari was officially named Arkansas’ new head coach.

Kentucky has already lost a handful of players due to Calipari’s move. The Wildcats also lost freshman center Aaron Bradshaw, who entered the transfer portal. In addition to Bradshaw, freshman guard Rob Dillingham entered the NBA Draft after winning SEC Sixth Man of the Year. Dillingham averaged 15 points per game for the Wildcats this past season.

After reclassifying to the 2024 class so he could play college ball earlier, Quaintance was named a McDonald's All-American after an impressive senior season at Word of God Christian Academy. ESPN ranked him as the 14th best player in their ESPN 100 rankings.

However, Quaintance faces a unique situation as he is not 17 years old yet. He will not be able to enter the NBA Draft until he is 19, which means he will likely spend at least two years in college. This means a school like Michigan State with a coach like Tom Izzo could be in play for Quaintance.

Quaintance would go from playing for one legendary college basketball coach to another. Few other schools offer that like the Spartans do.

In six games with USA Basketball last summer, Quaintance averaged 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, helping the team win a gold medal. Quaintancea averaged 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds with Team Thad on the Nike EYBL and played relatively well against some of the top talent in the country, solidifying his high ranking.

When he committed to Kentucky, Quaintance initially committed to Kentucky, Florida, South Florida, Missouri and Ohio State, which were some of the other schools Quaintance visited and are likely to be among the schools the Spartans will be vying against for his services. Adding a talent like Quaintance would be a significant signing for the Green and White.

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spring Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.


Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.