JQ swelling

[Jgrass34]

Latest news came out today that the staff had led him through a very, very, very light workout, and he had some light swelling afterwards, so they are continuing to hold him back.

The question I have is, when he came back and played for the 3 or 4 games he did, and had swelling after.....was that his first instance of swelling? I would think that if he was going to swell some, he would have already done so from the training and obstacles they were putting him through trying to get him back to game ready. Now, im some dumb, but not plum dumb. I know that training and practice is not as strenuous or demanding on a body as full on game action is, BUT IF swelling is the issue, then I think it would have arisen (swelling pun intended) before, in workouts and training leading up to his return. Or heck, maybe I am plum dumb.

 

[Rainmaker]

Latest news came out today that the staff had led him through a very, very, very light workout, and he had some light swelling afterwards, so they are continuing to hold him back.

The question I have is, when he came back and played for the 3 or 4 games he did, and had swelling after.....was that his first instance of swelling? I would think that if he was going to swell some, he would have already done so from the training and obstacles they were putting him through trying to get him back to game ready. Now, im some dumb, but not plum dumb. I know that training and practice is not as strenuous or demanding on a body as full on game action is, BUT IF swelling is the issue, then I think it would have arisen (swelling pun intended) before, in workouts and training leading up to his return. Or heck, maybe I am plum dumb.

Initial swelling began after St John’s game. Played through it the next couple games but was no where near 100%. Night and day difference in his mobility during that St John’s game and the other games. Sucks because he truly is a good kid. Swelling has actually gotten worse now and unfortunately he won’t be coming back at this point. We have our 9 man rotation and it’s time to buckle down and enjoy the ride.

 

[Monday Nitro]

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

Hopefully he comes back next year. Drafting on potential is one thing but if he has not healed yet no one but a want to be fired GM would waste a draft pick on someone with questionable health issues.

 

[Anony Moose]

Initial swelling began after St John’s game. Played through it the next couple games but was no where near 100%. Night and day difference in his mobility during that St John’s game and the other games. Sucks because he truly is a good kid. Swelling has actually gotten worse now and unfortunately he won’t be coming back at this point. We have our 9 man rotation and it’s time to buckle down and enjoy the ride.

 

[theBlues]

Hopefully he comes back next year. Drafting on potential is one thing but if he has not healed yet no one but a want to be fired GM would waste a draft pick on someone with questionable health issues.

Latest semi-legit mock I saw(last night) had JQ falling to 18th. He should play in college somewhere next year and then go top five in a much weaker draft.

 

[HenryMuto]

We need him to find a way to get back into the rotation by the SEC tournament

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

the draft is very strong this year, even at the back end of the first round. dont think its a lock he goes in the top 30.

 

[KYWC36]

It is possible he has swelling, but if so, it means he probably will need a clean up surgery at this point. He wouldn't just swell at this point from a light work out unless something was wrong and if he does comeback,
I hope its for someone else at this point

 

[UKJenning]

Initial swelling began after St John’s game. Played through it the next couple games but was no where near 100%. Night and day difference in his mobility during that St John’s game and the other games. Sucks because he truly is a good kid. Swelling has actually gotten worse now and unfortunately he won’t be coming back at this point. We have our 9 man rotation and it’s time to buckle down and enjoy the ride.

You guaranteed he was coming back? Said you worked with him personally.

 

[mash_24]

I was really excited we got the kid. But no way in hell if I’m a GM am I drafting a kid who was already very limited offensively, who now is showing signs that he could have chronic knee issues.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Hopefully he comes back next year. Drafting on potential is one thing but if he has not healed yet no one but a want to be fired GM would waste a draft pick on someone with questionable health issues.

He is not coming back next year. The only reason he didn’t go last year was because of his age.

 

[Rainmaker]

You guaranteed he was coming back? Said you worked with him personally.

Planning to come back and being able to are two different things. I was simply taking up for him when people acted like he just “shut it down” which isn’t true. I’ve been working with him since before he signed with Cal and UK originally. He’s a great kids and bleeds basketball, he isn’t not playing because he doesn’t want to, he isn’t playing because he can’t. Kids 18 years old, posters just bash away without cause so I did step in and speak on the subject. Sucks because of 100% healthy he would’ve benefited this team tremendously.

This injury changed the trajectory of Qs future. Went from a top 5 pick to most likely late first round. If it never heals properly then his career will be shortened by a ton and hundreds of millions lost. I feel for him, just as I would anyone else in a similar situation.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Latest news came out today that the staff had led him through a very, very, very light workout, and he had some light swelling afterwards, so they are continuing to hold him back.

The question I have is, when he came back and played for the 3 or 4 games he did, and had swelling after.....was that his first instance of swelling? I would think that if he was going to swell some, he would have already done so from the training and obstacles they were putting him through trying to get him back to game ready. Now, im some dumb, but not plum dumb. I know that training and practice is not as strenuous or demanding on a body as full on game action is, BUT IF swelling is the issue, then I think it would have arisen (swelling pun intended) before, in workouts and training leading up to his return. Or heck, maybe I am plum dumb.

He’s going to enjoy his very very very close bench seat the rest of the year. I bet that swelling miraculously goes down in the summer.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Hopefully he comes back next year. Drafting on potential is one thing but if he has not healed yet no one but a want to be fired GM would waste a draft pick on someone with questionable health issues.

I’d rather take his money and allocate it to a college star who will actually play and preferably one who can shoot.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Latest semi-legit mock I saw(last night) had JQ falling to 18th. He should play in college somewhere next year and then go top five in a much weaker draft.

His dad may figure out we will pay him 3 million again to sit the bench next year again! Probably higher salary than the 18th pick will get. We may be desperate for top end talent if the portal doesn’t go well.

 

[mash_24]

I’d rather take his money and allocate it to a college star who will actually play and preferably one who can shoot.

I think that’s at the heart of the struggles we’ve had a times this year. Pope had the right formula the first year. Just not quite talented enough and injuries nailed us. Now just go get a little bit more talented guys that still fit that formula and we can contend.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Initial swelling began after St John’s game. Played through it the next couple games but was no where near 100%. Night and day difference in his mobility during that St John’s game and the other games. Sucks because he truly is a good kid. Swelling has actually gotten worse now and unfortunately he won’t be coming back at this point. We have our 9 man rotation and it’s time to buckle down and enjoy the ride.

So if you know him personally why did his dad make those ridiculous comments the day before he shut it down. If that is all it is why come out and make those comments and stoke the flames?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

We need him to find a way to get back into the rotation by the SEC tournament

He’s done for.

 

[HipTer]

Latest semi-legit mock I saw(last night) had JQ falling to 18th. He should play in college somewhere next year and then go top five in a much weaker draft.

Maybe, but that NBA drafting on potential thing seems to go the other way with each year older a player gets. You don’t have to be a very good college player to get drafted. Just being a freshman with a lot of perceived “talent” or measurables can be all it takes. But being a Junior with the same qualities may only get a 2nd round selection or something less. Since I believe Quaintance is a year younger than his class, maybe it doesn’t hurt him (as much).

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I think that’s at the heart of the struggles we’ve had a times this year. Pope had the right formula the first year. Just not quite talented enough and injuries nailed us. Now just go get a little bit more talented guys that still fit that formula and we can contend.

I will admit Pope has had very bad luck here. Allocating that much to a guy who wasn’t a lock to play was a strategy he couldn’t quite afford yet IMO.

 

[Bugs092056]

We need him to find a way to get back into the rotation by the SEC tournament

Lol, here in the real world we see that he's not coming back and he was a horrible overpay. An example of the job Pope cannot do, unfortunately. It sucks because the brass at UK remains in place and who honestly believes things will change

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

Maybe, but that NBA drafting on potential thing seems to go the other way with each year older a player gets. You don’t have to be a very good college player to get drafted. Just being a freshman with a lot of perceived “talent” or measurables can be all it takes. But being a Junior with the same qualities may only get a 2nd round selection or something less. Since I believe Quaintance is a year younger than his class, maybe it doesn’t hurt him (as much).

i'm not so sure the nba drafts on potential anymore. that was a thing in the 2000s. teams would draft all kinds of goofy euros because they were long and lanky and showed some flashes. but looking at the last 4 or 5 drafts you see a lot of JRs and SRs drafted at the end of the first round now.

 

[theBlues]

Maybe, but that NBA drafting on potential thing seems to go the other way with each year older a player gets. You don’t have to be a very good college player to get drafted. Just being a freshman with a lot of perceived “talent” or measurables can be all it takes. But being a Junior with the same qualities may only get a 2nd round selection or something less. Since I believe Quaintance is a year younger than his class, maybe it doesn’t hurt him (as much).

Yeah, he's still younger than most of the freshmen so I don't think age would hurt him. Next year's draft will be a lot weaker than this year's draft which looks like one of the best ever, at the top and for depth.

 

[UKJenning]

Planning to come back and being able to are two different things. I was simply taking up for him when people acted like he just “shut it down” which isn’t true. I’ve been working with him since before he signed with Cal and UK originally. He’s a great kids and bleeds basketball, he isn’t not playing because he doesn’t want to, he isn’t playing because he can’t. Kids 18 years old, posters just bash away without cause so I did step in and speak on the subject. Sucks because of 100% healthy he would’ve benefited this team tremendously.

This injury changed the trajectory of Qs future. Went from a top 5 pick to most likely late first round. If it never heals properly then his career will be shortened by a ton and hundreds of millions lost. I feel for him, just as I would anyone else in a similar situation.

If he bleeds basketball, why can’t he hit a weather balloon from 5 ft away with a sawed off shot gun?

He is a terrible shooter.

 

[mash_24]

If he’s not able to even do light workouts nearly a year after the surgery, he probably needs another surgery. He’d be off my draft board. Look at all the past bigs who never were able to come back at near their previous level. And he was somewhat of a project to begin with.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

If he bleeds basketball, why can’t he hit a weather balloon from 5 ft away with a sawed off shot gun?

He is a terrible shooter.

I was about to post that. He’s always got a basketball in his hands. Does he never shoot?

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Initial swelling began after St John’s game. Played through it the next couple games but was no where near 100%. Night and day difference in his mobility during that St John’s game and the other games. Sucks because he truly is a good kid. Swelling has actually gotten worse now and unfortunately he won’t be coming back at this point. We have our 9 man rotation and it’s time to buckle down and enjoy the ride.

Saw a article where he is now projected as the 18th pick. Seems his draft stock is now going down which makes sense given his current swelling issues and not having a lot of time on the floor to showcase his skills or at least show his knee is ok.

I give the kid the benefit of the doubt because sitting out is hurting him and he seems like a good person . The timing of the comments made by his dad were definitely poorly timed but I chalk it up to frustration with his knee.

This was a poor decision to pay him top $ with his injury status. Hindsight is 20/20 but boy his money may of put us over the top with landing some top talent that we missed out on.

 

[HalHR2500]

As a multiple ACL tearer myself, swelling is normal after real-game action, you usually don't swell after workouts leading up to real-game action. Adrenaline kicks in during live game play and the knee is truly stressed more than during rehab.

There is also adhesions and scar tissue that has to be broken to achieve full recovery, but minimal swelling is involved in that process.

Swelling 6 weeks after the St Johns game is very unusual, and his handlers are protecting himself to the extreme. His draft stock is dropping because of it, he is around the 20 range on most draft boards.

The best indicator is checking the soles of shoes after games, the bad knee has significantly less tread use than the good knee, because sub consciously you put less pressure on the bad leg.

Once the soles are equal, you know you are close to 100%.

In retrospect, he probably needed to come back mid-January, not mid-December, but Pope was desperate at that time.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Hopefully he comes back next year. Drafting on potential is one thing but if he has not healed yet no one but a want to be fired GM would waste a draft pick on someone with questionable health issues.

Personally I think Moreno has more upside on the skill level than JQ. Doubt both would return next year to split time so I would rather have Moreno. Lets pay him well to keep him here .

 

[mash_24]

You can like Pope or not like Pope. But I don’t think he pressured the kid to come back early.

 

[Anon1679859502]

He’s done and will be prepping for the draft in my opinion so this news does not surprise me

 

[UKCowboys]

I have respect for this kid. JQ and Pope take all kinds of criticism, but this is anything but a Sharpe situation. He came back, tried, had issues with the knee and is trying again.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

Personally I think Moreno has more upside on the skill level than JQ. Doubt both would return next year to split time so I would rather have Moreno. Lets pay him well to keep him here .

i think pope will have this dilema at the PG and PF slot as well. what big time PG will come here if Lowe is on the roster? can you really going into next year with jelavic and mo d as the PF? i think we all like jelavics upside but not sure you can put all your eggs in that basket.

i actually do think moreno and JQ compliment each other well. florida makes it work with condon and handlogten. but someone would have to be cool with coming off the bench.

 

[Henogee1975]

Yeah
If his knee is still swelling that bad a year after surgery, there’s something wrong with his surgery or he’s just got bad knees. More rest is not going to make “swelling” magically disappear. I wish the staff would just say that he going to shut it down. He will go to the draft and some NBA team will take a chance on him just like Pope did.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/columnists/c-l-brown/2026/02/12/kentucky-basketball-roster-jayden-quaintance-injury-stats-return-date-mark-pope-recruiting-transfers/88558008007/#

 

[KyKevin]

Latest news came out today that the staff had led him through a very, very, very light workout, and he had some light swelling afterwards, so they are continuing to hold him back.

The question I have is, when he came back and played for the 3 or 4 games he did, and had swelling after.....was that his first instance of swelling? I would think that if he was going to swell some, he would have already done so from the training and obstacles they were putting him through trying to get him back to game ready. Now, im some dumb, but not plum dumb. I know that training and practice is not as strenuous or demanding on a body as full on game action is, BUT IF swelling is the issue, then I think it would have arisen (swelling pun intended) before, in workouts and training leading up to his return. Or heck, maybe I am plum dumb.

Makes perfect since to me, nothing plum dumb about what your saying. I truly believe his dad put a stop to his playing, and swelling is the easy out for them. But I like this team without him. And feel bad for JL and Kam. Kam was starting to be special, I believe.

 

[HipTer]

i'm not so sure the nba drafts on potential anymore. that was a thing in the 2000s. teams would draft all kinds of goofy euros because they were long and lanky and showed some flashes. but looking at the last 4 or 5 drafts you see a lot of JRs and SRs drafted at the end of the first round now.

That would seem to make a lot more sense if you’re going for a player that can help you sooner rather than later. But I still think the league has so many “good” players already that good upperclassmen who have demonstrated performance likely to translate and help a team are often passed over in favor of perceived higher-risk-higher-reward freshmen and overseas guys. And I’m not even saying that’s a wrong approach, as I assume those GMs and teams should know what works better for their success than me.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

i think pope will have this dilema at the PG and PF slot as well. what big time PG will come here if Lowe is on the roster? can you really going into next year with jelavic and mo d as the PF? i think we all like jelavics upside but not sure you can put all your eggs in that basket.

i actually do think moreno and JQ compliment each other well. florida makes it work with condon and handlogten. but someone would have to be cool with coming off the bench.

I think the PF is a big need for us next year. I like Jelavic's potential like you said and maybe he will make some great strides over the next 2 months. If not I think we need a upgrade at that spot.

MM & JQ could split time but not sure if the budget could accommodate both. Just my opinion but I think we need a couple of studs brought in to compliment MM KW & CC. Would rather see us spend $ on a couple of elite portal guys.

At PG we definitely need a good backup if Pope keeps JL. If not we need a big time PG to come in to run the show. Regardless we gotta have a backup as well. Its inexcusable that we dont have a backup PG especially after what we went through last year.

 

[cat tat2]

Just say he’s out until further notice and let it be.