ASU basketball’s Jayden Quaintance wins Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Dec 23, 2024, 12:46 PM
Arizona State men’s basketball freshman Jayden Quaintance earned the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award for his standout performance at the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic against Massachusetts.
Quaintance delivered his most impressive statline to date on Saturday with a career-high 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in ASU’s 78-62 win. The big man shot 8-for-14 from the field in the win.
The 17-year-old, five-star recruit has three double-doubles in his last seven games and has scored double-digit points with at least eight boards in four straight contests.
We need all the angles 🎬
What a swat by @qjayhoops ❌
📺 @CBSSportsNet
🔗 https://t.co/6Zb9K1wvDo pic.twitter.com/1KswoNIqMx— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 21, 2024
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Quaintance added to an increasingly impressive highlight tape on Saturday, pinning multiple shot attempts against the glass. He leads the nation with 3.45 blocks per game.
He also jumped a passing lane for a steal and finished off an Alston Mason assist with a dunk on the fast break. The big man is ASU’s steals leader this season with 1.5 per game.
He can do it all 🤩@qjayhoops forces the turnover and throws it down on the other end 👏
📺 @CBSSportsNet
🔗 https://t.co/6Zb9K1wvDo pic.twitter.com/g45Gyzyhbl— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 21, 2024
His per-game averages are creeping up toward a double-double with 9.4 points and 8.3 rebounds.
“He hasn’t missed a workout since he’s been here, he’s got that type of passion and love for the game you love to see from a young player,” head coach Bobby Hurley told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Monday. “The great thing about him is he starts and does it on the defensive end. A lot of guys don’t want to do the dirty work. He’s the kind of guy that will guard multiple positions like he’s done.
“He’s one of the most impactful defensive players as a young guy in the country. Now, you’re starting to see his offense evolve and get better. … He’s certainly a great finisher around the basket.”
Quaintance earned his first Big 12 weekly award and is the second Sun Devil to win Newcomer of the Week after fellow freshman Joson Sanon on Nov. 18.
The 9-2 Sun Devils are back in action on New Year’s Eve, as they will open Big 12 competition in Provo against BYU at 2 p.m.
