Head coach Kevin Willard wasted no time in the portal as Maryland has a pair of portal commitments already in the fold, and on Thursday afternoon, former Belmont point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie made his transfer to Maryland official after the program announced his addition.
“Ja’Kobi comes in as a well-rounded, athletic guard who can score and defend at a high level,” Willard said via release. “He wants to compete at the highest level and has a daily drive to keep improving, while also making those around him better.”
It's official
Ja'Kobi Gillespie is a Terp!
➡️ https://t.co/rlx0y1klL2 pic.twitter.com/m4xOfpHLhv
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) April 4, 2024
Gillespie took a one-day visit to Maryland beginning March 22 into the 23 before giving the staff his verbal the following Tuesday and announcing on Wednesday. With assistant Greg Manning Jr. and director of player personnel Ricky Harris leading the way, Maryland landed Gillespie over Kansas, Indiana, Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma on others as he’s now tasked with replacing Jahmir Young as the next starting point guard.
“I just felt like Maryland wanted me more and I could play more at Maryland,” Gillespie added about the Terps’ pursuit. Maryland also leaned on a personal connection to get themselves quickly into the mix. “My AAU coach played with Ricky Harris when they were younger,” Gillespie said, referring to former Tennessee star and Suitland native, Bobby Maze.
With Ja’Kobi Gillespie signed and former Virginia Techguard Rodney Rice in the fold, Maryland will now turn its attention elsewhere with former UC-San Diego guard Bryce Pope set to visiting College Park later this month.
More on Gillespie:
Overall at Belmont, Gillespie played in 57 games (32 starts) averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the floor including 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. In 2023-24 he saw his productivity jump from 9.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds to 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.
As a sophomore, he posted 22 double-figure scoring games which included a career-high 26 points against Southern Illinois. He also ranked among the MVC’s leaders in seven statistical categories including first in steals, fifth in scoring, and sixth in assists per game. He was one of just two players in the country to average over 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
As a freshman, Gillespie was named to the 2023 MVC All-Freshman Team and the All-Bench Team. He had a season-high 24 points at Northern Iowa in his rookie season where he hit double digits in 16 games. He finished the year third in the MVC for steals (1.5), fifth in total steals (49), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.83).
Coming out Greeneville High School, Gillespie was named the 2022 Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball – the first player from northeast Tennessee to earn the honor in the 37-year history of the award. He was a two-time Player of the Year honoree and twice named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team. Gillespie tallied 2,129 career points and averaged 27.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in leading Greeneville to the 3A state championship as a senior. In the state tournament, he was named the Most Valuable Player after averaging 26.3 points.
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