The past week has provided clarity for what the 2024-25 Terps could look like. Head coach Kevin Willard kicked off the week with a commitment from former Virginia Tech guard Rodney Rice with the news dropping one day after former Belmont guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and his family made their way to College Park. Despite an intent to visit more schools, Maryland capitalized on the visit high to get him into the fold as the rising junior went public on Wednesday afternoon.
While Gillespie’s commitment filled a key need for Willard this offseason, the announcement came roughly one hour after Julian Reese announced his plan to return to College Park for his senior season, giving Willard arguably his biggest recruiting win of the offseason. Maryland was staring at a real possibility of replacing Reese, but Willard and the staff worked overtime over the last ten days to address the situation while Reese stuck in College Park through spring break to make it possible.
With two big pieces officially in the fold, Willard now turns to an experienced guard looking to acclimate himself in the Big Ten style of play. For a Maryland team that finished second-to-last in the Big Ten in scoring, Gillespie addresses exactly that. Gillespie heads to College Park as a proven scorer, coming off a season where he averaged 17.2 points while shooting nearly 39% from deep and 83% from the free throw line. Fans were able to watch Jahmir Young thrive in the pick-and-roll game during his two seasons in College Park before ultimately depending on him to spark the Terps’ offense through Willard’s second season, but the core around Gillespie gives the rising junior a chance to do what he does best. And watching how Gillespie plays, it’s easy to see why Maryland prioritized the Tennessee native.
Whether defenders come over or under screens, Gillespie has proven capable of beating his defenders on pick-and-rolls. He shot over 66% on two-point attempts, in addition to his outside shot, proving himself as a scoring threat every time down the court. Gillespie’s efficiency in the P&R not only gives him a perfect opportunity to replicate Jahmir Young’s scoring chances, but also gives Julian Reese a chance to blossom in the post. And if Derik Queen can add his midrange and soft three-point touch back to his arsenal, the incoming five-star big man has a chance to bolster the Terps’ floor spacing and add another element to an offense that struggled to find reliable offense one season ago.
Memphis has made contact with Belmont transfer 6’1” G Ja’Kobi Gillespie (@k0b1g).
An elite guard who is crafty around the rim (71% ATR) and in transition. He excels out of the pick n roll, shoots well, and is a great perimeter defender (2.2 SPG).
Lots of HMs involved. Played… https://t.co/e3SEp3Eox5 pic.twitter.com/t3KLyHTLqJ
— Hitmen Hoops (@HitmenHoops) March 20, 2024
While all the focus is on how the Terps can improve offensively, Gillespie also fits Willard’s style defensively after being named to the MVC All-Defensive Team, finishing in the top three in the conference in steals over the last two seasons.
Between the additions of Gillespie and Rodney Rice, another potential ball-handler and scoring threat, Kevin Willard has upgraded the talent level in the backcourt in short order this offseason.
Maryland also returns Chance Stephens, who is expected to return to the team for summer workouts, and DeShawn Harris-Smith in the backcourt while former Mount Zion Prep (MD) four-star Malachi Palmer arrives with Queen in June. Jahari Long is currently expected to return in 2024-25 despite suffering what’s expected to be a season-ending injury during the conference tournament earlier this month, but the Terps have looked for other guards and wings in the portal with only one scholarship available.
The staff has been linked to Vanderbilt guard Jason Rivera-Torres and Saint Louis guard Gibson Jimerson, along with UT-Martin forward Jordan Sears, over the past week as Willard looks to finalize next year’s roster. With a clear need to infuse scoring into next season’s rotation, Jimerson and Sears both shot over 40% from deep in 2023-24.
While Maryland is still expected to return Jamie Kaiser Jr. next season to add another potential outside scoring threat, the frontcourt also remains intact with Jordan Geronimo expected to return while Mady Traore and Braden Pierce look to take the next step at the four and five next season to iron out the rotation.
Related Links
Former Belmont guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie transferring to Maryland
Julian Reese returning to Maryland for senior season
VIP: portal frenzy, QB battle, target to watch (+)
Local edge Yvan Kemajou takes in Maryland’s first spring practice (+)
