Tennessee basketball has landed one of its priority targets in the transfer portal.
Former Belmont and Maryland point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie has picked the Vols.
He has one season of eligibility remaining.
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Gillespie began his career at Belmont. In his freshman year, he appeared in 32 games while making eight starts. He earned spots on both the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team and Missouri Valley Conference All-Bench Team.
He averaged 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a true freshman.
As a sophomore, Gillespie earned spots on the MVC All-Conference Second Team, MVC All-Defensive Team and MVC Most-Improved Team.
This came on averages of 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals in 25 games. He started 24 of these matches.
Through the two years, Gillespie shot 51.1% from the floor and 34.8% on 3-pointers.
He would enter the transfer portal before finding his second home at Maryland. With the Terrapins, he helped the team reach a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament and berth in the Sweet 16.
Gillespie started in all 36 games he appeared in while averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assister per game. He shot 45.3% from the field and 40.7% on 3-pointers.
In the Sweet 16 loss to 1-seed Florida, he posted 17 points and two steals. In the second round win over 12-seed Colorado State, he managed 11 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds. In the opener against 13-seed Grand Canoyon, Gillespie notched 16 points, three assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block.
Out of high school, Gillespie was a two-sport athlete who also excelled at football. He played wide receiver and held offers from SEC and ACC programs.
He chose basketball where he committed to Belmont. He was an unranked prospect out of Greeneville, Tennessee.
In 2022, he was named Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball, making him the first player from northeast Tennessee named Tennessee Mr. Basketball in the 37-year history of award.
He averaged 27.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game while leading to Greeneville to Tennessee 3A state championship. he was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.
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