Jayden Quaintance to Memphis basketball? What Kentucky signee's dad said before Tigers visit

Could we see Jayden Quaintance in a Memphis basketball uniform? Playing for coach Penny Hardaway? Potentially for two seasons?

A path that leads to that possible outcome has recently presented itself, according to his father, Haminn Quaintance.

A 5-star power forward − recently granted a release from his National Letter of Intent at Kentucky, following the departure of John Calipari to Arkansas − Quaintance (6-9, 230) is scheduled to take an official visit with the Tigers on Friday. The 16-year-old, who turns 17 in July, making him ineligible for the NBA Draft until 2026, is ranked No. 8 in the Class of 2024 recruiting rankings by the 247Sports Composite.

“Penny played for the Magic, so I saw Penny a bit growing up (in Florida),” Haminn told The Commercial Appeal Tuesday. “That would be cool to get to work with somebody who got to that level and has been doing a good job with the guys he’s been working with.”

Hardaway's offseason roster rebuild also remains a work-in-progress with at least five open scholarships. Five transfers have committed to Memphis, and the Tigers have signed one incoming freshman. Hardaway has one scholarship player expected to return. Leading scorer David Jones is testing the NBA Draft waters but still could be back with the Tigers.

Even though Quaintance reopened his recruitment when Calipari left Kentucky, he is still reportedly open to sticking with the Wildcats and their new coach, Mark Pope. He also recently took a visit to Louisville. Quaintance was also initially planning to visit Arkansas. But reports surfaced Tuesday that he is no longer considering a reunion with Calipari.

Haminn, who played at Jacksonville State and Kent State, detailed what are the most important factors to his son as he navigates a new recruitment.

“We’re just looking for a good fit,” said Haminn. “Playing style. How (Quaintance is) used – the freedom that he has in the offense. That’ll probably be the separator.”

Hardaway's strong track record with player development also makes the Tigers an attractive landing spot, according to Haminn.

“I know Penny personally does the development for a lot of his players,” said Haminn. “So, it doesn’t really get no better than Penny.”

How much money Quaintance can make through NIL opportunities is also part of the decision-making process. Last week, Memphis athletics entered into an NIL deal with FedEx worth $5 million a year for the next five years. That money will be divided up among the Tigers' football, men's basketball, women's basketball and other women's programs.

Haminn said NIL opportunities will be weighed. But it won't be "the deciding factor."

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"We're looking for a situation where we can go in and start," Haminn said. "It's not a lot of coaches that can get the best out of these young players. Penny has had young players. He probably had one of the youngest teams in the country a couple years ago.

“There’s not a lot of guys that feel comfortable playing young players and developing young players.”

As for when Quaintance will announce his next move, that is up in the air.

“Shoot, if we feel like we’ve found a good fit, it could be over this weekend,” his dad said. “Who knows.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jayden Quaintance: Memphis basketball to get visit from Kentucky signee