Maryland guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie hit the portal Monday and has already drawn attention. The junior, who transferred to the Terrapins after two years at Belmont, averaged 14.7 points and led the team with 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
The Greeneville, Tennessee native has set up two visits with Power 5 schools, including one with his former head coach at Maryland, Kevin Willard. Find out who’s recruiting Gillespie below.
Maryland Transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie Draws Interest From Tennessee, Villanova,
His father told CBS Sports ‘ Jon Rothstein that Gillespie set up visits with Villanova, Willard’s new home, and Tennessee. Both spots make a lot of sense, given the relationship with coach Willard and the proximity to home the Volunteers provide—just a one-hour drive.
Tennessee is not the only SEC powerhouse to contact Gillespie. According to On3’s KSR+, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope contacted Gillespie’s father, Byron Gillespie, on Monday. Rothstein also reported that UNC reached out to the guard.
Tennessee needs a guard to replace star Zakai Zeigler, and with only four scholarship players returning, landing Gillespie could be a massive win for the Volunteers and head coach Rick Barnes.
Willard and the Wildcats will be looking at the portal, and the former Terrapin head coach will undoubtedly look the way of some of his former players.
Kentucky and head coach Mark Pope, who lost guard Kerr Kriisa to the portal and guards Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, and Jaxon Robinson to eligibility, will hope they can sneak through as a solid underdog choice for Gillespie.
For the Tar Heels, the loss of Elliot Cadeau to Michigan and RJ Davis to eligibility means head coach Hubert Davis will at least try to throw their name in the ring.
KEEP READING: Leland Walker Transfer Portal: Top 5 Landing Spots for Florida Atlantic’s Guard
The Tar Heels have already landed West Virginia’s Jonathan Powell but are likely in the mix for at least one more backcourt player.
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