While attending The John Carroll School, Quickley had a breakout sophomore campaign and averaged 17.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He sunk a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lead the Patriots to a 51–50 win over future NBA player Jalen Smith and Mount Saint Joseph High School in the Baltimore Catholic League championship and earned All-Metro Player of the Year recognition. Quickley averaged 23.7 points and 7.2 assists per game as a junior and was named to the First Team All-Metro.[1] Coming into his senior year, Quickley shot 41 percent from behind the arc on the Adidas AAU circuit.[2] Quickley was named the MVP of his high school team after scoring 19 points in a 71–58 loss to Hudson Catholic High School in the HoopHall Classic as a senior.[3] He posted 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 3.7 steals per game as a senior and led the team to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title. Quickley was named a McDonald's All-American and participated in the Powerade Jam Fest 3-point shootout.[4]
Recruiting
When considering colleges, by August 23, 2017, Quickley had narrowed the selection down to three: Kansas, Kentucky, and Miami.[5] The 22nd ranked prospect by Rivals and 25th by ESPN, Quickley committed to Kentucky on September 22.[1]
As a freshman, Quickley averaged 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[6] Quickley scored 16 points in a 91–49 win against Eastern Kentucky on November 8, 2019.[7] He had 18 points in a 78–70 overtime win over rival Louisville on December 28.[8] Quickley hit a career-high eight three-pointers en route to a career-high 30 points in a 69–60 win over Texas A&M on February 25, 2020.[9] At the conclusion of the regular season, Quickley was named SEC Player of the Year as well as the SEC First Team.[10] He averaged 16.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[11] Following the season, Quickley opted to declare for the 2020 NBA draft and hired an agent.[12]
Professional career
New York Knicks (2020–2023)
Quickley was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft,[13] and was then traded to the New York Knicks as part of a package for the 23rd pick, Leandro Bolmaro, on November 20, 2020.[14] On November 28, Quickley signed with the Knicks.[15] In his NBA debut on December 23, Quickley scored five points and exited the game in the second quarter due to injury.[16] He returned from injury on January 2, 2021, scoring nine points in the Knicks' 106–102 win over the Indiana Pacers.[17] April 3, 2022, Quickley recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 118–88 win over the Orlando Magic.[18]
On March 5, 2023, Quickley posted a career-high 38 points in a 131-129 double overtime win over the Boston Celtics.[19] On March 27, Quickley posted a new career-high 40 points in a 137–115 victory over the Houston Rockets.[20] That year, Quickley finished second in the voting for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.[21]
On March 7, 2024, Quickley achieved a new career high of 18 assists[23] and also recorded 21 points and 9 rebounds in a 120-113 loss against the Phoenix Suns, which is tied for the 6th most in total assists by a Raptor, and it was one less rebound needed for a triple-double.[24][25]
On April 5, 2024, Quickley helped the Raptors break their 15 game losing streak, scoring 25 points in a 117-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[26]
On July 8, 2024, Quickley re-signed on a 5 year, $175 million contract to remain with the Raptors.[27][28]