ASU’s Jayden Quaintance to return from ankle injury vs. No. 5 Houston

Arizona State freshman center Jayden Quaintance will make his return from an ankle injury on Tuesday when ASU hosts No. 5 Houston.

Head coach Bobby Hurley told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta during Day 1 of Newsmakers Week that Quaintance was getting “really close” to a return.

“Jayden Quaintance did quite a bit yesterday and at practice. I’m shocked that he’s this advanced based on what he looked like after the Oklahoma State game. It’s literally been about 10 days since that game,” Hurley said.

“He’s been super focused on his rehab stuff. He’s done a great job. I guess it’s great to be young and 17 and heal quickly. But he’s really close. Will it be tonight? I don’t know, but he’s certainly getting there.”

The freshman forward exited the Feb. 9 loss early in the first half against Oklahoma State after getting tripped up with Cowboys guard Jamyron Keller.

here’s a look at the jayden quaintance left ankle injury. he is out for the rest of the game.

sure looked like oklahoma state’s jamyron keller veered in front of him pic.twitter.com/2s0gW4Khr6

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) February 9, 2025

Quaintance finished with three points, three steals and one block in nine minutes before the ankle injury.

The freshman is averaging 9.5 points on 51.8% shooting to go along with 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.1 steals across 22 games this year.

ASU dropped back-to-back games against No. 12 Texas Tech and TCU since Quaintance’s injury. The Sun Devils were outrebounded in both matchups without Quaintance: 38-27 at Texas Tech and 39-27 versus TCU.

The Sun Devils are on a five-game losing streak and have lost six straight at home.

Quaintance in, BJ Freeman playing despite illness

BJ Freeman missed Monday’s practice due to an illness but will play on Tuesday.

“There’s something that’s been going through our team at different periods of time here,” Hurley said while adding he would check on his status at shootaround.

Freeman led ASU in scoring with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting in 25 minutes in Saturday’s 74-70 loss against TCU.

In 24 games, Freeman is averaging 13.5 points on 42% shooting and 35.9% from three. He’s added 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Arizona State squares off against No. 5 Houston on Tuesday night in Tempe at 7 p.m. MST.  Tune to the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and arizonasports.com.

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