The San Antonio Spurs introduced their newest rookie class to the media at the Victory Capital Performance Center late Thursday afternoon, June 25.
Kiko Martinez for MySA
The San Antonio Spurs introduced their newest rookie class to the media at the Victory Capital Performance Center late Thursday afternoon (June 25).
Jayden Quaintance, forward/center from the University of Kentucky, was selected by the Spurs at No. 20 during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft earlier this week. Tarris Reed Jr., center from the University of Connecticut, was acquired via trade from the Denver Nuggets at No. 26.
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“We were excited … to get a couple of guys that we think can really help our team now and also into the future,” Spurs General Manager Brian Wright said about Quaintance and Reed Jr. after Round 1 of the draft. “You could see we had a type. We added a couple of big bodies – physical, athletic.”
During the second round, the Spurs selected Ja’Kobi Gillespie, guard from the University of Tennessee, at No. 42; and Maliq Brown, forward from Duke University, at No. 44
Here’s a closer look at the four incoming rookies for the Silver and Black.
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Jayden Quaintance, forward/center from the University of Kentucky, was selected by the Spurs at No. 20 during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft earlier this week.
Kiko Martinez for MySA
Who is Jayden Quaintance
Before the start of last season, Victor Wembanyama said playing defense was “non-negotiable” as a Spur. With Quaintance joining the backcourt, it feels like the team added another player fully aligned with that same philosophy.
“I feel like we’ll really be able to shrink the floor and make it hard to score in the paint,” Quaintance, 18, said when asked what the Spurs’ defense will look like with him and Wemby playing together. “Use our long wingspans to our advantage. I feel like it will be a great combination.”
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Along with anchoring the defense alongside Wemby, Jayden Quaintance is looking forward to connecting with the Alien off the court, too.
Kiko Martinez for MySA
Off-Court Games: Along with anchoring the defense alongside Wemby, Quaintance is looking forward to connecting with the Alien off the court, too. Like Wemby, he’s a big fan of chess. His favorite chess piece is the knight, which he likes for the “different tricks and tactics that you can pull off with it.” So, has he had a chance to get any games in yet in San Antonio? “I’ve heard a lot about chess so far,” he said. “I’ve already gotten to play against some people on the staff, so that’s been fun.”
Feeling Old Yet?: At Arizona State and Kentucky, Quaintance wore No. 21. He won’t be keeping it in San Antonio, however, since the number is hanging in the rafters in honor of Spurs legend Tim Duncan. “They cut that off quickly, I’m not gonna lie,” Quaintance said with a laugh about any ideas he had to keep his college number. “As soon as I got drafted, they were like, ‘Here are a couple of number options that you’ll have.’” Asked who his favorite Spur was growing up, he offered an answer that was both innocent and unintentionally revealing of the generational gap. “Probably Tim Duncan,” he said. “I feel like he was my grandfather’s favorite player.” I’ll take “Ways to Make Me Feel Extremely Old for $100,” Alex.
Tarris Reed Jr., center from the University of Connecticut, was acquired via trade from the Denver Nuggets at No. 26.
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Who is Tarris Reed Jr.
The Spurs initially held only one first-round pick (No. 20) in the draft, so it said a lot when they moved back into the first round to acquire Reed Jr. at No. 26 in a deal with Denver. As a backup center at UConn, Reed Jr. averaged 9.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game and shot 67% from the field.
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“To play in such a prestige, elite, legendary organization … is a blessing,” Reed Jr., 22, said. “You get to really feel the city and the support system. [I’m] just ready to go!”
As a backup center at UConn, Tarris Reed Jr. averaged 9.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game and shot 67% from the field.
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UConn Connection: Although they never shared the court at UConn, Reed Jr. said Spurs guard Stephon Castle reached out after the draft to welcome him to San Antonio. “Just knowing I’ve got another fellow UConn Husky to play alongside this year is gonna be pretty special,” he said. “We’ll definitely talk about some cool, crazy, funny [coach Dan] Hurley stories – or things we both went through in that program.”
During the second round, the Spurs selected Ja’Kobi Gillespie, guard from the University of Tennessee, at No. 42.
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Who is Ja’Kobi Gillespie
At 6’1, Gillespie is now the second-shortest player on the roster behind Jordan McLaughlin (5’11), but his frame doesn’t reflect his toughness. Originally from Tennessee, Gillespie spent two seasons at Belmont before transferring, with one-year stops at Maryland and Tennessee.
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“Having athleticism [and] being strong and having heart,” Gillespie, 22, said when asked what he brings to the court as a small guard. “I’ve always been the smallest player, so I think growing up like that kind of got me ready to play at a higher level.”
“Just throw it up there,” Ja’Kobi Gillespie said grinning when asked if he’s envisioned feeding the ball to the Alien.
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Feeding the Alien: During his time at Tennessee, Gillespie compiled the best assists average and the most total assists (201) by a one-year Tennessee player. It could be a perfect pairing for a guard looking to lob up some easy baskets to Wemby. “Just throw it up there,” Gillespie said grinning when asked if he’s envisioned feeding the ball to the Alien. “That’s what it looks like.”
Maliq Brown, forward from Duke University, was selected by the Spurs at No. 44.
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Who is Maliq Brown
Originally from Virginia, Brown started his college career playing ball at Syracuse University in 2022. After two years, he transferred to Duke where he was voted ACC Defensive Player of the Year, ACC Sixth Man of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team.
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“Defense is always where I would hang my hat,” Brown, 22, said, adding that he knows he’ll be able to match the Spurs’ defense-first mentality. “They’re a very gritty team.”
Maliq Brown is looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge as he can from all the players who epitomize the Spurs’ culture.
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Learning from Legends: Brown was excited to meet Spurs’ legends Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili when he arrived in San Antonio. He’s looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge as he can from all the players who epitomize the Spurs’ culture. “Just picking their brain,” he said when asked about learning from the legends. “Just asking them different questions, not just about basketball [but] about being a human on and off the court. Just being a better person.”