Ja’Kobi Gillespie

One of four players to start all 36 games, aiding the team to its most wins and first Sweet 16 in nine years.
Averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 31.6 minutes per game, posting a 45.3 percent clip from the field, a 40.7 percent mark from deep and an 86.2 percent ledger at the stripe.
Paced the roster in assists, assist-to-turnover ratio (2.56), steals, minutes, free-throw percentage and made 3-pointers (87), the last of which put him fourth in program single-season history.
Ranked second on the team in scoring, 3-point percentage and made field goals (180), plus finished third in total rebounding, defensive rebounding (2.2) and field-goal percentage (min. 1.5 FGM/gm), as well as placed fourth in free throws both made (81) and attempted (94).
Notched one double-double on the year, just the fourth by a Terrapin with points and assists in the last 15 seasons (2010-25), alongside two from Anthony Cowan and one by Melo Trimble.
One of three Big Ten players in the last 35 seasons (1990-2025) to average at least 14.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting at least 40.0 percent from 3-point range, following Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell (2014-15) and Wisconsin’s Tracy Webster (1991-92).
Placed co-No. 31 nationally in total steals (69), co-No. 34 in total assists (174), No. 36 in assist-to-turnover ratio, No. 52 in steals average, No. 58 in assists average and co-No. 77 in total made 3-pointers.
One of four players to finish top-40 in Division I in steals, assists and assist-to-turnover ratio, alongside Drake’s Bennett Stirtz, Purdue’s Braden Smith and St. John’s’ Kadary Richmond, while just four others—Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr., Merrimack’s Adam Clark, Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn and Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler—did so in even just steals and assists.
Among five Power Five players to average at least 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game—the others are Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn, Pittsburgh’s Jaland Lowe, West Virginia’s Javon Small and Purdue’s Braden Smith—and the only Division I player to post that line while shooting at least 40.0 percent from long range.
Led the Big Ten in total made 3-pointers, while placing second in 3-point makes per game (2.4), third in total steals, fourth in steals average and co-fourth in total assists.
Also finished fifth in the Big Ten in assists average, assist-to-turnover ratio and 3-point percentage, as well as No. 13 in total points (528), co-No. 16 in total made field goals and No. 17 in scoring average.
In league-only action, led the Big Ten in made 3-pointers per game (2.7), plus ranked fourth in steals average (1.9), sixth in both assists average (4.8) and 3-point percentage (42.2), eighth in both free-throw percentage (85.9) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.96), No. 13 in minutes average (33.8) and No. 15 in scoring average (16.3).
Tied for the second-most made free throws without a miss (11) by a Big Ten player all year.
Scored in double figures a co-team-best 30 times to tie for fourth-most such outings by a Big Ten player, notching 15-plus points in 20 contests, 17-plus in 12 (all against Power Five foes), 20-plus in six and 26-plus twice.
Paced the team in number of outings with at least three (29), five (17), seven (11) and nine (five) assists, ranking third in the Big Ten in each of the latter two.
Led the Big Ten in number of games with at least two (27) and three (17) 3-pointers, as well as led the team with four-plus eight times and co-led the Terrapins with five twice.
Co-led the Big Ten with multiple steals in 23 outings, as well as paced the team with three-plus takeaways nine times and four on four occasions, plus grabbed five-plus boards on eight occasions and reached seven twice.
Amassed all 13 instances of a Terrapin recording six-plus assists in a game, as well the most made free throws without a miss (11) and the co-second most makes (11) on any number of attempts.
Wrapped up the year with 17 points, two steals and a perfect 6-of-6 free-throw ledger versus third-ranked Florida (3/27/25) in the Sweet 16.
Registered 11 points, seven assists, a co-season-best four steals and no turnovers in 36 minutes in an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 win against Colorado State (3/23/25).
Opened the NCAA Tournament with 16 points, three assists and two steals in a win against Grand Canyon (3/21/25).
Logged 10 points and nine assists, with zero turnovers, in 38 minutes versus No. 22/21 Michigan (3/15/25) in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Posted 12 points, nine assists and two steals in a victory against No. 24/25 Illinois (3/14/25) in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
Finished with 17 points, four rebounds and a season-high-tying four steals against Northwestern (3/8/25), shooting 3-of-4 from long range and an unblemished 4-of-4 on free throws.
Compiled 19 points, seven assists and two steals at Penn State (3/1/25), finishing 6-of-8 from the floor, 3-of-5 beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 at the stripe.
Notched 15 points, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes versus eighth-ranked Michigan State (2/26/25), shooting a perfect 11-of-11 at the line to set career highs in makes and attempts.
Recorded 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including tying a career high in 3-point makes with a 5-of-8 ledger, against Southern Cal (2/20/25), adding four assists and two steals in 36 minutes.
Put up 26 points, seven assists, five steals and three assists against Iowa (2/16/25), finishing 11-of-14 from the field to tie a career high in makes, as well as going 4-of-7 on 3-pointers in 36 minutes.
Accumulated 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including a 3-of-5 clip from deep, and seven assists in 37 minutes at Nebraska (2/13/25).
Tallied 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes versus Rutgers (2/9/25).
Had 16 points, a co-season-best seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in a victory over No. 17 Wisconsin (1/29/25), finishing 5-of-6 on free throws.
Produced 18 points and nine assists in a victory at Indiana (1/26/25), logging a 4-of-10 long-range ledger.
Registered 15 points, eight assists and three steals in 36 minutes in a triumph at No. 17 Illinois (1/23/25).
Posted 22 points, five assists and a season-high-tying four steals in 36 minutes at Nebraska (1/19/25), finishing with an 8-of-15 clip overall and a 5-of-9 mark from beyond the arc to set a career high in 3-point makes.
Compiled 14 points, four assists and three steals in a career-high near-40 minutes of action in an overtime affair at Northwestern (1/16/25).
Logged 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, seven assists and five rebounds versus Minnesota (1/13/25).
Dropped a career-high 27 points, to go along with four assists and a co-season-high four steals, in a win at UCLA (1/10/25), going 7-of-13 overall, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers and a perfect 9-of-9 at the stripe.
Scored 16 points at ninth-ranked Oregon (1/5/25).
Recorded 17 points, a career-best 11 assists, five rebounds and zero turnovers against Syracuse (12/21/24) in Brooklyn, N.Y., finishing 7-of-12 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from deep.
Tallied 18 points, four assists and a 4-of-7 3-point mark in 37 minutes at No. 8/7 Purdue (12/8/24).
Had 23 points and four assists in a Big Ten-opening victory over Ohio State (12/4/24), shooting 7-of-11 from the field, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers and a perfect 5-of-5 at the line.
Notched 12 points, three assists and two steals in a win over Villanova (11/24/24) in Newark, N.J.
Poured in 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including a 4-of-9 long-range clip, versus No. 15 Marquette (11/15/24), adding four rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes.
Produced 12 points, five rebounds and three steals against Florida A&M (11/11/24).
Scored 13 points and went 3-of-4 from 3-point range versus Mount St. Mary’s (11/8/24).
Started the year with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and five assists, with no turnovers, against Manhattan (11/4/24).

2023-24 – SOPHOMORE (at Belmont)

Appeared in 25 games of 33 games, missing eight due to injury, and made 24 starts.
Averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 31.4 minutes per game, while shooting 56.1 percent overall, 38.7 percent beyond the arc and 83.1 percent at the line.
Led the team in scoring average, assists average, steals average and minutes average, plus ranked second in field-goal percentage.
Finished third on the roster in third in made field goals (165) and made free throws (59), fourth in made 3-pointers (41) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.74), as well as fifth in rebounding, defensive rebounding (3.3) and free-throw attempts (71).
Ended the year tied for No. 20 nationally in steals per game and No. 41 in field-goal percentage.
One of only four qualified guards in the country to shoot over 55.0 percent, ranking third among that group, behind only Bryant’s Earl Timberlake and Little Rock’s Jamir Chaplin, and above Howard’s Bryce Harris.
Shot 66.3 percent (118-of-178) inside the arc to rank No. 39 nationally, per KenPom, in 2-point percentage and was the only player in the top-100 under 6-foot-3.
Finished as one of three Division I players (min. 100 MP) to post a 56/38/83 shooting line, alongside Eastern Washington’s Cedric Coward and Auburn’s Jaylin Williams.
Second MVC player (min. 100 MP) in the last 30 seasons (1994-2024) to record a 56/38/83 shooting ledger, joining Evansville’s Dru Smith (2017-18).
Only Division I player in the last 30 years (1994-2024) to average at least 17.0 points and 2.0 steals per game, while notching a 56/38/83 shooting line.
Led the MVC in steals average and placed third in total steals (55), plus ranked fifth in scoring average, assists average and field-goal percentage.
Also ranked seventh in the MVC in free-throw percentage, ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio, No. 10 in 3-point percentage, No. 14 in total assists (106) and tied for No. 17 in total points (430).
Posted the highest single-game steals total (seven) by any player in the MVC on the year.
Co-led the MVC in number of games with at least four steals (four), as well as tied for third in number of outings with three-plus steals (seven) and two-plus steaks (17), all of which paced the team.
Scored in double figures 24 times, with 15-plus on 18 occasions and 20-plus seven times.
Dished out three-plus assists in 22 contests, with five-plus a team-best 12 times, six-plus twice and seven twice.
Grabbed at least five rebounds in eight appearances, with at least six in four and eight in two.
In addition to notching the top single-game steals mark by a Bruin, tied for the most made free throws without a miss (seven) in a contest.
Also logged the second-most made field goals (11) and co-second-most made free throws (seven) in a single game by any player on the team.
Ended the year with 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in 38 minutes versus Northern Iowa (3/8/24) in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals.
Concluded the regular season with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, five rebounds, four assists and two steals against Evansville (3/3/24).
Scored 24 points in 38 minutes versus Missouri State (2/24/24), finishing 8-of-16 overall, 3-of-7 from long range and 5-of-6 at the stripe.
Totaled 23 points, on a 10-of-19 field-goal clip and a perfect 7-of-7 free-throw ledger, at Drake (2/21/24), chipping in two steals in 38 minutes of action.
Registered 17 points, four assists and three steals at Illinois-Chicago (2/18/24).
Produced a season-best 26 points, five rebounds and three assists versus Southern Illinois (2/14/24), shooting 11-of-15 from the field to set a career high in makes.
Had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting at Valparaiso (2/10/24), adding six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Reentered the starting lineup against Murray State (2/7/24) and put up 24 points, a co-season-high eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, finishing 9-of-12 from the floor and 5-5 at the line in 35 minutes.
Returned at Missouri State (2/3/24) and, coming off the bench for the only time all year, tallied 15 points, a season-high-tying seven assists and two steals.
Missed eight consecutive games due to a broken left wrist sustained versus Southern Illinois (1/2/24), against which he had eight points, six assists and four steals in 34 minutes despite the injury.
Finished with 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in 36 minutes at Arkansas State (12/20/23).
Compiled 18 points, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes at Samford (12/16/23), logging a 6-of-8 clip on field goals, a 4-of-5 mark from long range and a 2-of-2 ledger at the line.
Put up 23 points and four steals in 37 minutes at Middle Tennessee State (12/9/23), shooting 9-of-12 from the field, while hitting both his 3-point attempts and all three of his free throws.
Scored 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting at Lipscomb (12/6/23).
Tallied 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go along with five assists and two steals against Valparaiso (12/2/23).
Opened league play with 18 points, three assists and three steals in a victory at Northern Iowa (11/29/23), finishing 6-of-10 from the floor, 3-of-5 from deep and 3-of-3 at the line.
Capped the Cathedral of College Basketball Classic with 15 points and three assists against Lafayette (11/26/23), shooting 5-of-9 overall, 2-of-3 beyond the arc and 3-of-3 at the stripe.
Had 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a career-high-tying two blocks in 39 minutes in an overtime win at Penn (11/25/23) in the Cathedral of College Basketball Classic.
Amassed 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, six assists and four rebounds against Monmouth (11/24/23) in the Cathedral of College Basketball Classic.
Notched 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, four rebounds, three assists and three steals at third-ranked Arizona (11/17/23).
Produced 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, four assists and a career-best seven steals in just 18 minutes versus Berry (11/14/23).
Totaled 21 points, five rebounds and two steals at Furman (11/10/23).
Started the year with 17 points, a season-best eight rebounds and a season-high seven assists in 35 minutes of action versus Georgia State (11/6/23).

2022-23 – FRESHMAN (at Belmont)

Competed in all 32 games, one of three individuals to do so, and earned eight starting nods, including in each of the first six games.
Averaged 9.6 points, 3.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 22.2 minutes per game, shooting 45.4 percent from the field.
Paced the team in steals, as well as ranked second in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.83).
Finished third on the roster in free throws both made (47) and attempted (66), placed co-third in total blocks (11), ranked fourth in scoring and came in at fifth in minutes and made 3-pointers (23).
One of nine freshmen nationally to log 300 points, 100 assists and 45 steals, alongside Merrimack’s Javon Bennett, Arkansas’ Anthony Black, FIU’s Arturo Dean, Incarnate Word’s Trey Miller, Syracuse’s Judah Mintz, St. Thomas’ Andrew Rohde, Colgate’s Braeden Smith and Kentucky’s Cason Wallace.
One of two MVC freshmen in the last 15 seasons (2008-23) with 300 points, 100 assists and 45 steals in a single campaign, joining Indiana State’s Jake Odum (2010-11).
Tied for third in the MVC in steals average, tied for fifth in total steals (49), placed sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio and finished ninth in both assists average and total assists (106).
In league-only competition, ranked fifth in the MVC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93), tied for No. 11 in assists average (2.9) and tied for No. 12 in steals average (1.3).
Tied for the most steals in a single game (six) by an MVC player on the year.
Scored in double figures 16 times, including in each of the first six and each of the last three games, with 15-plus points in five outings, as well as twice grabbed five-plus rebounds.
Dished out at least three assists on 19 occasions, with five-plus eight times, six-plus six times and eight twice, placing second on the team in the latter three areas and co-first in the last.
Notched multiple steals 11 times, second-most on the roster, and led the team with both eight performances of three-plus steals and four showings with three-plus.
Amassed three of the top four single-game steal totals by a Bruin, including posting the top mark (six) and twice tying for second (four each).
Twice tied for the second-highest single-game assist count (eight) by any player on the team.
Ended the year with 14 points, a season-high-tying eight assists, two steals and a block versus Indiana State (3/3/23) in the MVC Tournament.
Wrapped up the regular season by scoring a season-best 24 points in just 26 minutes in a win at Northern Iowa (2/26/23), shooting 9-of-11 from the floor to set a season best in makes, as well as chipping in four assists and three steals.
Compiled 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and three steals in the home finale against Indiana State (2/22/23)
Logged eight points on 4-of-8 shooting, five assists and two steals versus Illinois State (2/4/23).
Tallied 15 points and a season-best five rebounds in 31 minutes of action against Drake (1/29/23).
Amassed 18 points and six assists in a start at Evansville (1/25/23), shooting 6-of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from deep to set a season best in makes and 3-of-3 at the line.
Put up 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and a perfect 4-of-4 free-throw clip versus Murray State (1/17/23).
Had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including hitting both his 3-point tries, against Northern Iowa (1/14/23), adding four assists.
Recorded 15 points, six assists and two steals at Valparaiso (1/10/23), shooting 7-of-13 from the floor.
Scored 13 points and tallied a pair of steals at Illinois State (12/4/22).
Capped a six-game starting, double-digit scoring streak to start his career in a Paradise Jam triumph against Howard (11/21/22) with 13 points, a season-best eight assists and a 7-of-8 free-throw mark, good for season highs in makes and attempts.
Notched 13 points, a season-best six steals, four assists and a perfect 6-of-6 free-throw ledger in a season-high 35 minutes in a Paradise Jam victory over George Mason (11/19/22).
Opened the Paradise Jam with 12 points and six assists versus Tarleton State (11/18/22).
Posted 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and three steals at Lipscomb (11/14/22).
Registered 13 points and three assists in 34 minutes at Furman (11/11/22).
Began his career with 11 points, four assists and four steals in 31 minutes in a victorious start against Ohio (11/7/22).

HIGH SCHOOL

Totaled 2,129 points across his three-year prep career.
Two-time TSWA All-State pick, two-time 5StarPreps.com Tennessee Player of the Year, two-time Knox News First Team All-PrepXtra selection and a two-time TSSAA state tournament MVP, collecting each of those honors as both a junior and senior.
Led his school to back-to-back state championships, as well as to an 89-18 record and three straight state tournament appearances—it had just five prior trips total, never in consecutive years—over his final three campaigns.
Averaged 27.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game per game as a senior, shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 64.0 percent inside it, as well as 78.5 percent at the line.
Named Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball, the first player from the Northeast part of the state to win Mr. Basketball in its then-37-year history, and selected to the TACA East/West All-Star Game.
In addition to 5StarPreps.com, was also tabbed Tennessee Player of the Year by Tri-Cities.com and WJHL-TV.
Aided his team to a 31-6 record and the TSSAA 3A state title, totaling 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a a 77-48 championship game victory over Jackson South Side High School.
Notched 32 points, seven rebounds, two steals, a 6-of-11 3-point clip and a 6-of-6 free-throw mark in a 59-55 state semifinal triumph over Stone Memorial High School, as part of a state tournament MVP run in which he averaged 26.3 points per game.
Threw down an alley-oop dunk as a senior against Halls High School that made SportsCenter Top 10.
Averaged 20.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists per game as a junior, finishing as a Tennessee 2A Mr. Basketball finalist.
Helped his team to a 32-6 record, including 17 straight wins to end the year, en route to a TSSAA 2A state crown, the school’s first in the sport.
Logged 17 points and seven boards, including grabbing the clinching rebound, in a 47-46 win against Jackson South Side High School, finishing his state tournament MVP run at 22.7 points per game.
Helped his team go 26-6 and reach the TSSAA 2A state tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sophomore.
Standout wide receiver, cornerback and return specialist as a prep football player, garnering TSWA 4A All-State and Greeneville Sun All-County honors as a senior to earn him an official congratulatory state resolution.
Held Power Five football scholarship offers from programs such as Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Competed on the AAU circuit for B. Maze Elite, a Knoxville-based program run by former Tennessee guard Bobby Maze (2008-10), and played alongside three future Volunteers: B.J. Edwards, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Handje Tamba.

PERSONAL

Full name is Ja’Kobi Broderick Gillespie and nickname is Kobi.
Born March 10, 2004, in Greeneville, Tenn.
Parents are Byron Gillespie, a personal trainer, and Heather Johnson, who works at an oil company.
Father, a defensive lineman, played football at Chattanooga.
Has two older brothers, Jaevon and Jordon, an adopted older brother, Terry Grove, an older sister, Jocelyn, and a younger sister, Jayla.
Major is communication studies.
Enjoys building Legos in his spare time.
Favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant because he is named after him and he considers him the greatest basketball player ever.
Best sports memory is, as a junior, winning the first state basketball championship in Greeneville High School history.
Wears No. 0 because he likes the number.
Committed to Tennessee over BYU, Kentucky, North Carolina and Villanova.
Chose Tennessee because it is a great place with amazing people and excellent fans.
First Volunteer from Greeneville, which is approximately 75 miles east of Knoxville, since Roe Campbell in 1923.

MBB | Rick Barnes Media Availability (9.23.25)

Tuesday, September 23

MBB | Ethan Burg Media Availability (9.23.25)

Tuesday, September 23

MBB | Ja'Kobi Gillespie Media Availability (9.23.25)

Tuesday, September 23

VFL Grant Williams Commits $1.5 Million Gift to Tennessee

Thursday, September 18

KNOXVILLE, TN - September 05, 2025 - VFL Grant Williams portrait taken at Pratt Pavilion in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Williams Commits $1.5 Million Gift to Tennessee

Thursday, September 18

Burg, Israel Earn Three Wins at FIBA EuroBasket 2025

Monday, September 08

Vescovi Shines for Uruguay in FIBA AmeriCup

Friday, August 29

Barnes Signs New Lifetime Contract

Thursday, August 28

University of Tennessee Athletics

2025-26 Men's Basketball Roster

Roster

Ja’Kobi Gillespie

Amari Evans

Bishop Boswell

Clarence Massamba

DeWayne Brown II

Grant Hurst

Nate Ament

Gavin Paull

Cade Phillips

J.P. Estrella

Campbell Duncan

Jaylen Carey

Troy Henderson

Felix Okpara

Ethan Burg

Amaree Abram

Roster

Ja’Kobi Gillespie

Amari Evans

Bishop Boswell

Clarence Massamba

DeWayne Brown II

Grant Hurst

Nate Ament

Gavin Paull

Cade Phillips

J.P. Estrella

Campbell Duncan

Jaylen Carey

Troy Henderson

Felix Okpara

Ethan Burg

Amaree Abram

Ja’Kobi Gillespie

CAREER HIGHS

HONORS

2024-25 – JUNIOR (at Maryland)

2023-24 – SOPHOMORE (at Belmont)

2022-23 – FRESHMAN (at Belmont)

HIGH SCHOOL

PERSONAL

Related Videos

Related News