Story perspectives

Spurs Select Injured Forward Quaintance, Center Reed

6/25/2026

Summary

Spurs Draft

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Jayden Quaintance No. 20 and Tarris Reed Jr. No. 26.
Quaintance, a 6-foot-9 forward who missed his season with a torn ACL, meniscus tear and fractured knee, logged a 7-foot-5¼-inch wingspan at the combine.
Reed, a 6-foot-11 center, averaged 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 60.7% shooting in college.
Analysts graded the picks B+–B- and expect Quaintance to redshirt while Reed adds interior depth.

Summary

Spurs Sign Quaintance

The San Antonio Spurs signed Kentucky forward Quinton Quaintance to a four-year rookie contract worth $18.9 million.
At 6-foot-10, Quaintance is Kentucky’s 61st first-round pick, surpassing Duke for most all-time.
General manager Brian Wright said the team will follow a long-term medical plan even if a second knee surgery sidelines Quaintance for six months.
The signing supports San Antonio’s two-big lineup strategy by pairing Quaintance’s rim protection with Victor Wembanyama.

History

Historical Context

After a 20-62 season in 1996-97, the Spurs won the lottery and drafted Tim Duncan first overall in 1997, pairing him with David Robinson to form the “Twin Towers” that lifted San Antonio to a 56-26 record in 1997-98 and five championships by 2014. In 2024 GM Brian Wright echoed that model, selecting Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed to join Victor Wembanyama.

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Spurs Draft

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Jayden Quaintance No. 20 and Tarris Reed Jr. No. 26.
Quaintance, a 6-foot-9 forward who missed his season with a torn ACL, meniscus tear and fractured knee, logged a 7-foot-5¼-inch wingspan at the combine.
Reed, a 6-foot-11 center, averaged 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 60.7% shooting in college.
Analysts graded the picks B+–B- and expect Quaintance to redshirt while Reed adds interior depth.

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