-
Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Five-star forward Jayden Quaintance, the highest-ranked available recruit in the 2024 ESPN 100, has committed to Arizona State, he told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.
Quaintance, ranked No. 16, ultimately chose Bobby Hurley’s program over Louisville and Memphis, after he had cut Arkansas and Kentucky from his list last week. He had originally signed with Kentucky under John Calipari, then reopened his recruitment when Calipari left for the Razorbacks.
Quaintance was a McDonald’s All American after a stellar senior season at Word of God Christian Academy (North Carolina). He was originally a member of the 2025 class, but he reclassified to 2024 so he could play in college a year earlier. However, because he only turned 16 last July (and therefore won’t turn 19 until 2026), Quaintance will likely have to spend two years in college before entering the NBA draft.
He represented USA Basketball at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship last summer, averaging 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in six games en route to a gold medal. Quaintance put up 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds with Team Thad on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, and he played well in high-profile games against Overtime Elite teams this past season.
He is the second key addition in recent days for Hurley and Arizona State after they picked up a commitment from Milwaukee transfer BJ Freeman on Saturday. The Sun Devils are also bringing in transfers Alston Mason (Missouri State) and Basheer Jihad (Ball State), and a pair of ESPN 100 prospects in Amier Ali and Sammie Yeanay.
Quaintance is Arizona State’s highest-ranked commitment since Josh Christopher signed with the Sun Devils in 2020.