Yes or No on JQ

jedwar

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Dec 30, 2002
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I think his stock has fallen a bit, so I don't think he's a lottery pick. I think there are real concerns with his knee issue. Big difference from the StJ game to the other two he play with explosiveness and lift. I do think he's first round still. I'd say around 20th-27th.
 

Anon1759768907

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Is he really a lottery pick?

I think this years draft will be pretty deep in talent. That being said I do not think JQ is a lottery pick. Maybe not even First Round.
Raw talent coming off a serious knee injury.
Little Offense shown . As a GM, do you take a chance ?
if ur jqs agent u need him to go into the league because if he comes back to college and isnt great then he will fall further
 

theBlues

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He would have went in the top 7 if he hadn't had the knee setback, even in this incredibly deep draft. But now he'll most likely land just outside the lottery. The 6th guy in this draft is a guy who would have gone 1st or 2nd in the draft before last. It would probably be in JQ's best interest to come back to college next year and enter a much easier draft where he'd be top five for sure if he came back healthy, even though he probably wouldn't command the NIL he did this past year because of the injury questions.
 

UKGrad24

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First of all I don’t think he’s that good to be honest, just a good athlete that’s really raw. A Calipari type recruit, and that’s why he was after him.

I wouldn’t take him at all. I wouldn’t have taken him in this recruiting class. He’s got a bad knee and a crazy parent, and it’s not like he fits the mold of a future great NBA guy. The only reason we took him was because everyone else backed off and Pope needed a little bit of a OAD splash. If I was the NBA I wouldn’t get near him. He’s got talent but he’s raw and doesn’t have a shot. I don’t know what the hoopla is about honestly. Tall and athletic. Can grab some rebounds. I get that? But nah nowhere near lottery if it’s me.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
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Is he really a lottery pick?

I think this years draft will be pretty deep in talent. That being said I do not think JQ is a lottery pick. Maybe not even First Round.
Raw talent coming off a serious knee injury.
Little Offense shown . As a GM, do you take a chance ?
Nope, in this draft I cannot see a team drafting him. If he’s legit hurt they will find out at the combine and definitely not take him maybe first round. So either he is legit hurt and needs another surgery or he’s FOS and sitting out because his “camp” is a bunch of puntangs.
 

*Fox2Monk*

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Jun 10, 2009
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First of all I don’t think he’s that good to be honest, just a good athlete that’s really raw. A Calipari type recruit, and that’s why he was after him.

I wouldn’t take him at all. I wouldn’t have taken him in this recruiting class. He’s got a bad knee and a crazy parent, and it’s not like he fits the mold of a future great NBA guy. The only reason we took him was because everyone else backed off and Pope needed a little bit of a OAD splash. If I was the NBA I wouldn’t get near him. He’s got talent but he’s raw and doesn’t have a shot. I don’t know what the hoopla is about honestly. Tall and athletic. Can grab some rebounds. I get that? But nah nowhere near lottery if it’s me.
Not in the mold of the game today. He could be Vanderbilt and just defend and rebound/ block shots but as you see Vandy barely plays anymore because he can’t score from anywhere.
 

Bungalow Bill

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My take is with his limited offensive showing in the games he has played in, this year and last, he will explore the draft but be told he needs to go back to college and get a full healthy season while showing huge improvement offensively. If that's the case I hope he does it with us. Unless he get's completely healthy and really impresses pre-draft I can't see anybody using a 1st round choice on him except very late maybe.
 

*Fox2Monk*

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Jun 10, 2009
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My take is with his limited offensive showing in the games he has played in, this year and last, he will explore the draft but be told he needs to go back to college and get a full healthy season while showing huge improvement offensively. If that's the case I hope he does it with us. Unless he get's completely healthy and really impresses pre-draft I can't see anybody using a 1st round choice on him except very late maybe.
You would think but they are enamored with his defensive metrics, age, and athleticism. Makes no sense really but I guess when they pan out they are tough.
 
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MonsterMash79

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I think his stock has fallen a bit, so I don't think he's a lottery pick. I think there are real concerns with his knee issue. Big difference from the StJ game to the other two he play with explosiveness and lift. I do think he's first round still. I'd say around 20th-27th.
I feel ya on that too.. NBA drafts on potential, so that knee might raise some brows.
 

peterpiper09

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He won’t go in the Top 15.
His best move is to come back, get well, and make a push next season in what should be a weaker draft. He could be top 5. However, if he comes back, he should know that he’s not automatic starter but will compete for playing time. “Earned, not given”!!!!!
I think this is ultimately best for both he and UK. Neither loses.
 

JwUKFan11

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Nov 11, 2011
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First of all I don’t think he’s that good to be honest, just a good athlete that’s really raw. A Calipari type recruit, and that’s why he was after him.

I wouldn’t take him at all. I wouldn’t have taken him in this recruiting class. He’s got a bad knee and a crazy parent, and it’s not like he fits the mold of a future great NBA guy. The only reason we took him was because everyone else backed off and Pope needed a little bit of a OAD splash. If I was the NBA I wouldn’t get near him. He’s got talent but he’s raw and doesn’t have a shot. I don’t know what the hoopla is about honestly. Tall and athletic. Can grab some rebounds. I get that? But nah nowhere near lottery if it’s me.
I hate that he and his camp basically pulled a Shaedon Sharpe. I also hate that Pope brought a torn ACL into be one of our spots and used a chunk of money on him. But I know exactly what the hoopla was about. This guy is a freak, if he wasn't hurt at all going into this year I think he could have been NPOY of the year discussion depending on where he transferred to.
 

UKGrad24

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I hate that he and his camp basically pulled a Shaedon Sharpe. I also hate that Pope brought a torn ACL into be one of our spots and used a chunk of money on him. But I know exactly what the hoopla was about. This guy is a freak, if he wasn't hurt at all going into this year I think he could have been NPOY of the year discussion depending on where he transferred to.
Very well could be. I agree you don’t spend the money on that get the sure thing but pope has a lot of recruiting problems so it’s probably what he could get. What I really meant anyway was the idea that he would change our season. You’re probably right in that 100% healthy he’s worth a lotto.

He was hurt from the beginning, no way of knowing who we were getting. Was it the pre knee injury JQ or a guy who can’t walk, I just didn’t see the excuse that because he’s not playing is the reason Mark is having problems.

Guy was obviously super talented and good, there’s a reason Calipari and a lot of others wanted him. A reason he was so high on draft boards.
 
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NociHTTP

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Nope, in this draft I cannot see a team drafting him. If he’s legit hurt they will find out at the combine and definitely not take him maybe first round. So either he is legit hurt and needs another surgery or he’s FOS and sitting out because his “camp” is a bunch of puntangs.
Just watch, it all depends on what he hears. If he hears good news about the draft he will miraculously become healed. Otherwise, he'll "come back" and play for some other program, because I don't see Pope risking his own reputation by bringing in a known injury risk again.
 
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UKGrad24

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Hell if I was Pope I’d bring in a lot of injured players. They work? You’re a miracle worker. If they don’t? Hey “his best players are out what’s he supposed to do”?

I mean why give that up? Just shoot for all the injured players you can and ride it out to a lifetime contract. It worked for him this year. Due to injuries he’s done a great job. Even though 2 of those have been injured before, one of them seriously injured and he recruited them anyway. I’d just keep doing that.
 

Broker

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My take is with his limited offensive showing in the games he has played in, this year and last, he will explore the draft but be told he needs to go back to college and get a full healthy season while showing huge improvement offensively. If that's the case I hope he does it with us. Unless he get's completely healthy and really impresses pre-draft I can't see anybody using a 1st round choice on him except very late maybe.
I think we have to be extremely careful for us to bring him back. He certainly is not going to get paid in college next year like he did this year, by us or anyone else. With MM here, we do not need JQ at what his asking price would be. I doubt he can start over MM. He is not a 4 in anyone's mind. His lack of offense is a real issue. Pay MM and get a portal backup. Spend the savings on a top end point guard. We need two point guards especially with our injury history.
 

Ukwazoo3

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Nope, in this draft I cannot see a team drafting him. If he’s legit hurt they will find out at the combine and definitely not take him maybe first round. So either he is legit hurt and needs another surgery or he’s FOS and sitting out because his “camp” is a bunch of puntangs.
Yeah, if he's holding out on purpose and shows NBA teams that he's fine, I still don't think he'll be a lottery pick. But I've seen how dumb the average NBA GM is, so anything is possible.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,649
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Is he really a lottery pick?

I think this years draft will be pretty deep in talent. That being said I do not think JQ is a lottery pick. Maybe not even First Round.
Raw talent coming off a serious knee injury.
Little Offense shown . As a GM, do you take a chance ?
Considering he’s already slid down to 18 th on the last draft projection I saw , coupled with statement where an nba scout said there was no way he would go in the first round if he didn’t come back this year and prove the knee was sound ……..the answer is a RESOUNDING NO .
 

rivercatinfl

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Nov 21, 2012
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Is he really a lottery pick?

I think this years draft will be pretty deep in talent. That being said I do not think JQ is a lottery pick. Maybe not even First Round.
Raw talent coming off a serious knee injury.
Little Offense shown . As a GM, do you take a chance ?
I think so. He gets rookie money and if he recovers, he's worth a shot.
I'd definitely take him back next year but I think that's a stretch because he will want to go to the league.
 
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Feb 2, 2026
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Yes, no, maybe.
I don't know.

Can you repeat the question?

You're not the boss of me now.
You're not the boss of me now.
You're not the boss of me now and you're not so big.
 

DelkBowl

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If he’s not going to play, I wouldn’t mind seeing him kicked off the team. Pope wouldn’t do it and the optics may be bad, but it would be funny.
 

HipTer

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First of all I don’t think he’s that good to be honest, just a good athlete that’s really raw. A Calipari type recruit, and that’s why he was after him.

I wouldn’t take him at all. I wouldn’t have taken him in this recruiting class. He’s got a bad knee and a crazy parent, and it’s not like he fits the mold of a future great NBA guy. The only reason we took him was because everyone else backed off and Pope needed a little bit of a OAD splash. If I was the NBA I wouldn’t get near him. He’s got talent but he’s raw and doesn’t have a shot. I don’t know what the hoopla is about honestly. Tall and athletic. Can grab some rebounds. I get that? But nah nowhere near lottery if it’s me.
My guess is Quaintance was a projected lottery pick due to a very unusual, if not freakish, combination of size and athleticism and young age. If NBA teams believe that athleticism is still there (or will be there with more time) I think he could still be a high draft pick even if teams are starting to question his offensive upside. He would be a role player, but the explosiveness he had in blocking shots and rebounding and his defensive potential could be really valuable even if all he gave a team on offense were lobs and put-backs. And also he’s awful young to give up on his offense completely just yet, but like you I’m pretty skeptical. I thought it was a big red flag that his shooting – especially his FT shooting – did not take a huge leap with all the time he had to work on that (almost exclusively) due to his recovery timeline. Moreover, I thought it was possible that he could start showing some shades of Amari Williams’ ball-handling and passing. But I didn’t see any evidence of that either, although admittedly in a very limited opportunity window.
 

L.O.D.

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Hes a 20-25th pick as is with good workouts could move back to lottery but doubtful. Its not crazy to think he might return next year - unlikely but not crazy
 
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He would have shut down several big men that have had their way against us. He was really strong and difficult to back up against and push. I personally don't buy the swelled knee when I see videos of him walking around including on the court. Like Sharpe it seems like he is taking advantage of the program and in addition is collecting a huge wasted sum that might have attracted someone willing to play.

In terms of the draft I don't like to draft guys that avoid competition. How can you be on this team and not attempt to play even if only a few minutes knee or not? I am sure he is a likeable guy and the other players like him but that's not good enough.
 

UKGrad24

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He would have shut down several big men that have had their way against us. He was really strong and difficult to back up against and push. I personally don't buy the swelled knee when I see videos of him walking around including on the court. Like Sharpe it seems like he is taking advantage of the program and in addition is collecting a huge wasted sum that might have attracted someone willing to play.

In terms of the draft I don't like to draft guys that avoid competition. How can you be on this team and not attempt to play even if only a few minutes knee or not? I am sure he is a likeable guy and the other players like him but that's not good enough.
What needs to be done is players need to be told if you aren’t going to play, and there’s no reason why you aren’t playing, then you are going to be asked to leave the team and go home. I don’t care about the money they aren’t helping you from bench anyway. Send a signal to the NBA that this kid and his handles are gaining the system, and tell them it could hurt your stock. If you’ll sit here you’ll sit anywhere as long as you’re being paid.

I dont know that I’m sure he would have dominated a lot of these bigs. 2 of the games he played for us, I didn’t see that at all.
 

Jkr21790

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Man. If he came back and we got Stokes. Branch and Holt. Plus a real stud 15 and 6 PG and some other pieces in the portal. lol. Best team in the country.

Stud PG transfer / Lowe / young transfer
Holt / Chandler / Jasper
Branch / Kam / Hawthorne / Noah
Stokes / Physical PF transfer
Quaintance / Moreno / Potter

That’s the best team in the country we could mix and match. Go big. Go small. We’d have shooters. Drivers. Rim protection. An unstoppable force in Stokes. That’s possibly 4 lotto picks. And we’d have Lowe. Then Chandler. Jasper. Kam who could play the 3 or 4. A transfer 4 and Moreno. Actually Moreno could be a lotto pick.
 

JonathanW2

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He would have went in the top 7 if he hadn't had the knee setback, even in this incredibly deep draft. But now he'll most likely land just outside the lottery. The 6th guy in this draft is a guy who would have gone 1st or 2nd in the draft before last. It would probably be in JQ's best interest to come back to college next year and enter a much easier draft where he'd be top five for sure if he came back healthy, even though he probably wouldn't command the NIL he did this past year because of the injury questions.
I don't think so. The NBA would have wanted to see some level of offensive improvement. Not for him to be a polished offensive player, but to at least show that he's improved in his biggest weakness area a little. He seemed (in <4 games) to have NO game outside 3' from the rim. That's a big concern for teams. I think he would have fallen as the season went on to the 20-25 range. I'm not saying he needed to be a 3pt shooter, but just be more than a taller Vanderbilt.
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
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How does he compare in NBA potential to Johni Broome ... surprisingly, Broome got very little clock and has been moved down to G-League. He was drafted 35th.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
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If I'm an NBA GM, I would have to be talked into spending a 2nd round pick on him, there’s no way I would take him in the first round and I would expect to be fired if I wasted a lottery pick on him. He just showed how not ready for the NBA he is.

For a college program, I go hard after him. He’s got the potential to be a dominant force in the paint at this level. But I'm not spending big dollars for him.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
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Yeah, if he's holding out on purpose and shows NBA teams that he's fine, I still don't think he'll be a lottery pick. But I've seen how dumb the average NBA GM is, so anything is possible.
That is true I mean one traded Luka and AD and no picks lol. Maybe prime healthy AD but you gotta get a massive haul for Luka. Not like he should ever be traded at 25 period but if you do, it better be the best deal ever.
 

Runt#1969

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Man. If he came back and we got Stokes. Branch and Holt. Plus a real stud 15 and 6 PG and some other pieces in the portal. lol. Best team in the country.

Stud PG transfer / Lowe / young transfer
Holt / Chandler / Jasper
Branch / Kam / Hawthorne / Noah
Stokes / Physical PF transfer
Quaintance / Moreno / Potter

That’s the best team in the country we could mix and match. Go big. Go small. We’d have shooters. Drivers. Rim protection. An unstoppable force in Stokes. That’s possibly 4 lotto picks. And we’d have Lowe. Then Chandler. Jasper. Kam who could play the 3 or 4. A transfer 4 and Moreno. Actually Moreno could be a lotto pick.
this