Tennessee basketball has been aggressively targeting the transfer portal, with six open scholarship spots to fill for next season. That effort paid off Friday with the addition of a talented guard.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, one of the top names on Tennessee’s portal wishlist, became the first commitment of the cycle for the Vols.
According to On3 Sports, Gillespie has officially committed to Tennessee as the program begins reshaping its roster. He’s ranked among the top 50 players in the transfer portal and is regarded as one of the top guards available.
The 6-foot-1, 186-pound guard entered the portal after Maryland head coach Kevin Willard left for Villanova. Despite being in the portal for less than a week, a visit to Knoxville was enough for Rick Barnes and his staff to secure Gillespie’s pledge.
Known for his elite three-point shooting, Gillespie fits the mold of portal players Barnes has recruited in recent years. Last season, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc.
With one year of eligibility left, Gillespie arrives in Knoxville bringing valuable experience and a well-rounded game. He helped lead Maryland to a 27-9 season that ended in the Sweet 16 against top-seeded Florida.
A strong defender, Gillespie is expected to help fill the void left by Zakai Zeigler, a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
The Vols will now work on integrating Gillespie with their returning players and continue their search for additional backcourt talent through the portal. With Gillespie onboard, Tennessee now has five scholarships left to use and will focus on adding more guards, especially with Bishop Boswell as the only other current backcourt option, aside from incoming recruits.
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