During his Monday radio show, Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope offered new insight into the development of sophomore phenom Jayden Quaintance and forward Mo Dioubate.
Pope said the staff has been easing Quaintance into controlled 3-on-3situations as part of his return-to-contact protocol, but even those drills come with precautions.
“We’re in a staff meeting talking about doing 3-on-3drills, but just a snap-punch drill, and including JQ,” Pope said. “There’s still a safety protocol with him
in anything close to live action. He’ll be going against our GAs, so I looked at (Brian Fitzpatrick) and Willis (Mackey) and asked, ‘Which one of you can handle JQ with gloves in the post?’ Both of them went pale. They didn’t want the assignment, not because they’d hurt him, but because they might get hurt.”
Quaintance, one of the youngest and most physically imposing players in the country, has impressed the staff with his intensity and physicality even in limited reps.
Pope also delivered an encouraging update on Mo Dioubate, who continues progressing through injury rehab.
“Mo was coaching again today, and he shot free throws,” Pope said. “We tested him last night (Sunday). He’s still got a ways to go, but he was at practice and participating as much as he could.”
Both forwards remain key pieces for Kentucky’s frontcourt plans, and Pope’s updates signal that the Wildcats are inching closer to getting their full roster active as the season approaches.
