Quaintance FT shooting isn’t the proverbial “tells me everything I need to know,” but it sure as heck is a strong indicator for me. We know he came to UK as a BAD FT shooter. That’s a huge negative for a Big, especially one who’s entire offensive game is in the paint. But Quaintance had what – 4 or 5 months – where he would have had almost nothing else he could work on game wise other than FT shooting. Yet he’s no better. Is it a small sample size? Yes, but you can see the shot looks no better and like he’s just flinging it up there on hope. So, did he not put in the effort? Did the staff not direct him? Is he just incapable of shooting a decent half-way consistent FT? It’s the same with his perimeter shot, too. Very disappointing. Top 5 draft pick? So what?
I’m thinking that you’d have to be a really special defender and rebounder with a decent post-up and put-back game to be a high value player in the NBA with his deficiencies. Shaq did it. Rodman did it. Others occasionally have. But I believe it’s a narrow needle to thread. He’s still young, and the NBA loves drafting potential - even long-shot potential - rather than the best current CBB players; and I can see Quaintance as a niche role player even if he doesn’t develop offensively. But it doesn’t seem likely that much development of that potential is going to come in college and his value as a 17 & 18 yr. old in college is marginal.