Maryland has a big need to fill in the backcourt with Jahmir Young exhausting his eligibility, ending his two-year career in College Park. While the list of available transfer targets grows with each passing minute, Maryland is now expected to get its first target on campus as a source confirms former Belmont guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is expected to visit on Friday. Assistant Greg Manning Jr. is spearheading efforts for the Terps for its portal target.
Gillespie, a 6-foot guard, is ranked among the top portal targets in the country after averaging 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game during his sophomore season. He also did so shooting over 56% from the field and nearly 39% from three, along with shooting 83.1% from the free throw line.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie went off against Southern Illinois. He finished with
26 Points
5 Rebounds
3 Assists
73% FGBelmont also got the win. pic.twitter.com/FoblPvtMCb
— KJ (@KJ__Hoops) February 15, 2024
Gillespie went on to be named to both the MVC All-Defensive and Most-Improved teams, along with being recognized as a second-team All-MVC selection.
Gillespie was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team after starting in eight games and averaging 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Along with sitting top five in the MVC in steals per game (1.53) and assist-turnover ratio (1.83), Gillespie scored in double figures in each of his six starts to begin his college career.
Virginia Tech, Indiana, Alabama, Kansas, UCLA, Arkansas, Florida and Memphis are among the double-digit schools that have reached out to Gillespie thus far, who announced his intention to transfer on Friday with two years of eligibility remaining.
Maryland, meanwhile, is tasked with replacing Jahmir Young while Jahari Long’s status for the 2024-25 season is in question after going down with a lower leg injury in the final minute of the Big Ten Tournament win vs. Rutgers. Jahnathan Lamothe is still with the program as of Tuesday evening, while four-star guard Malachi Palmer is one of two pledges in head coach Kevin Willard’s two-man 2024 recruiting class.
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