Jayden Quaintance is looking to be released from his national letter of intent that he signed with Kentucky.

According to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Quaintance has requested his release and will reopen his recruitment. The 6-foot-9 big man was the top recruit for Kentucky’s elite 2024 recruiting class under John Calipari.

According to the 247 Sports Composite, Quaintance is a 5-star center and the No. 8 player in the country for the 2024 recruiting class. He was also rated as the No. 2 center with a wingspan well over 7-foot.

Quaintance was the top player from the nation’s 2nd-ranked recruiting class under Calipari, a group that included a trio of 5-star players and 4 of the top 45 prospects in the country.

Potential fallout post Cal

While Quaintance is the first player to express a change in plans following Calipari’s departure, he could be just the tip of the iceberg. Many players lined up to play for Kentucky under Calipari, including elite freshmen who were a mainstay of Calipari’s framework with the program. 5-star point guard Boogie Fland and 5-star shooting guard Billy Richmond are other key recruits to keep an immediate eye on.

As for a future destination for Quaintance, it has become common for players to follow their head coaches or the ones who recruited them to new destinations. Arkansas is likely a program to watch (especially without any current commitments for 2024), but we will have to see if that is indeed his final destination.

Meanwhile, Calipari will make his first Arkansas appearance at an introductory press conference Wednesday night.