Mark Pope, Kentucky players help Jayden Quaintance practice for driver's exam

Jayden Quaintance is ready to be in the driver’s seat, and Kentucky basketball is going to help him get there. The incoming Arizona State transfer is expected to be a big piece for the Wildcats on the court this year, but he has one goal he’d like to accomplish off it before the season begins.

Quaintance, who just turned 18, is working on getting his driver’s license and has the final exam on Thursday. So coach Mark Pope and his Wildcats teammates stepped in to help him prepare.

Pope went live on Instagram on Wednesday to show that he and the team had set up an obstacle course inspired by the TV show “The Brady Bunch” for Quaintance to practice on. He set up traffic cones and placed an egg at the top of two of them, with the idea being that if Quaintance were to knock the egg off he failed. But when Pope asked him how he was feeling, he wasn’t worried.

“I feel good, man,” Quaintance said. “I’m not gonna lie.”

Mark Pope just went live on Instagram to tell #BBN the team is helping Jayden Quaintance prepare for his driver’s test tomorrow 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/uaCMttrk3L

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) August 6, 2025

Pope then asked the team whether they thought Quaintance would be able to complete the course. A lot of teammates expressed their belief in him, but there were a few doubters, including freshman guard Jasper Johnson.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Quaintance actually attempt the course, but we can hopefully assume it went well. Pope signed off the live with, “Say a prayer, BBN.”

More on Jayden Quaintance

Quaintance comes to Kentucky as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He was the No. 7 overall player and No. 1 center in the 2024 recruiting cycle according to the Rivals Industry Rating, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

Last season with the Sun Devils, Quaintance put up averages of 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. He was named both to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and Big 12 All-Freshman team.

Unfortunately, Quaintance had his season cut short due to an ACL tear in February. That is also a concern entering this season with him still rehabbing, and he may miss some time to start the year.

“The one thing I know about him, he’s an incredible talent,” Pope said in May. “We’re going to go as fast as we can with the absolute most caution that we can. And so, he’s working really hard.

“Big Blue Nation is gonna fall in love with Jayden Quaintance. He just fits on our roster. He’s just a really special person and so we’re gonna race back to 100% health as fast as we can.”