While his time in College Park was short, Ja’Kobi Gillespie was a large part of one of Maryland basketball’s biggest movements in recent memory.
A member of the Crab Five in the 2024-25 season, Gillespie was selected as the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft by the reigning Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs.
After spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at Belmont, Gillespie elected to transfer to Maryland in 2024 to team up with Terps like Derik Queen and Julian Reese. The following season, Gillespie put on a show, averaging 14.7 points per game while shootin 40.7% from beyond the arc.
Gillespie’s solid production led to multiple honors, including an All-Big Ten third team mention. However, as the rest of the Crab Five departed, he did the same — Gillespie transferred to his hometown university in Tennessee for his final year of eligibility.
In his senior season, Gillespie continued to grow, putting up 18 points per game as the only Volunteer to start in every game. Gillespie also played alongside current Terp Bishop Boswell, who transferred in the offseason and will compete for a starting guard role for the 2026-27 campaign.
The former Terp now looks on to the NBA, where he will play alongside NBA superstars Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell. However, his short stint and lasting impact at Maryland remains engrained in the minds of many Terps.
In other news
2026 NBA Draft No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa compared his play style to Maryland great Len Bias on draft night.
Maryland wrestling and baseball both released their 2027 Big Ten slates.
Maryland women’s basketball alum Saylor Poffenbarger was released by the Chicago Sky.
