ESPN has identified the top 10 college basketball teams with the most NBA prospects in the 2025-26 season.
Kentucky comes in at No. 7 on the list with eight prospects, led by Jayden Quaintance.
ESPN identifies Quaintance as a top 50 player (No. 9). Other prospects include Otega Oweh, Jaland Lowe, Kam Williams, Brandon Garrison, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Mouhamed Dioubate.
Here’s an excerpt:
7. Kentucky Wildcats
Top-50 players: Jayden Quaintance (No. 9)
Other pro prospects: Otega Oweh (No. 76), Jaland Lowe (No. 84), Kam Williams, Brandon Garrison, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, Mouhamed Dioubate
A fully healthy Kentucky team should be one of the deepest in the country, with Quaintance the primary prospect to watch. The Wildcats have a wide range of players with pro potential, but most project as second-rounders or back-end roster types at this stage.
Quaintance is slated to return midseason after tearing his ACL in February, transferring from Arizona State after entering college a year early. The 18-year-old center showcased intriguing potential last season and piqued NBA interest while racking up steals (1.1 SPG) and blocks (2.6 BPG). Scouts will be eager for his return to get a better sense of his projection on the offensive end as a rim runner and vertical spacer. Improving his jump shot will be pivotal, but his strong frame, huge wingspan and noteworthy defensive impact give him a pathway to the lottery.
Oweh and Lowe are Kentucky’s most experienced perimeter players. Oweh’s unorthodox shooting mechanics will be a tough sell for a lot of scouts, but his energy, defense and athleticism make him a prospect nonetheless. Lowe is a touch undersized at 6-1 and 170 pounds, but offers playmaking instincts and on-ball pace at the point. He’ll be a huge component on a team that’s otherwise light on creators.
It will be intriguing to see which of Kentucky’s other players progress this season, and whether any can accelerate their pathways to the NBA — Williams might be the most intriguing long term, after a strong freshman year at Tulane. — Woo
