Maryland transfer point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is working to line up a visit with Tennessee basketball as well as Villanova, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein first reported on Thursday.
Gillespie is one of the top players in the transfer portal after averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game for the Terrapins last season. A high level shooter, Gillespie made 87 triples last season for the Terrapins at a 40.7% clip.
The 6-foot-2 point is one of the top players in the entire transfer portal. EvanMiya.com ranks Gillespie as a five-star transfer and the No. 1 player in the portal while 247sports ranks Gillespie as a four-star and the No. 6 player in the portal.
Tennessee is in hot pursuit of transfer point guard. The Vols lose two-time All-SEC point guard Zakai Zeigler to graduation and don’t have a suitable replacement on the roster. Gillespie is a natural fit to fill the role after starring in the Terrapins backcourt and leading Maryland to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
An East Tennessee native, Gillespie went to Greeneville High School and started his college career at Belmont before transferring to Maryland after two seasons.
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Gillespie is back in the transfer portal after Maryland head coach Kevin Willard left to become the Villanova head coach last week. Kentucky, North Carolina and Maryland are amongst the other teams that have expressed interest in Gillespie while Tennessee battles to get him to come back close to.
April 3 is the start of a week long dead period that runs through April 10. Schools can remain in contact with transfers and recruits during that time but can not host them on visits. Tennessee football’s spring game is on Saturday, April 12 which is a solid option for Tennessee to host Gillespie or any other prospect on a visit.
Last season, Tennessee hosted a pair of transfers including Darlinstone Dubar on visits on the same weekend as the Orange-and-White game.
The Vols now have six scholarships to work with as Barnes and his staff look to fill out their roster for next season. Tennessee hosted Virginia shooting guard Isaac McKneely on a visit earlier this week and is battling Louisville and North Carolina for the All-ACC honorable mention.
Tennessee does have one point guard joining in the roster in three-star prep guard Troy Henderson who committed to the Vols early last week.
