Maryland transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie commits to Tennessee

One of the top guards in the transfer portal — and a target for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats — is off the board. The destination? Rocky Top, Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers picking up a commitment from Maryland standout Ja’Kobi Gillespie on Friday.

His pledge came just minutes after another Kentucky target, Taylor Bol Bowen, announced his commitment to Alabama, keeping the SEC — still with two teams in the Final Four this weekend, one guaranteed to advance to the national championship — sitting atop the college basketball world after a record-shattering season with 14 of 16 teams making the NCAA Tournament.

Gillespie, who started his career at Belmont, averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while leading the Terps to the Sweet 16. Now, he’s making his way to Knoxville as a Volunteer in 2025-26.

BREAKING: Maryland transfer PG Ja'Kobi Gillespie has committed to Tennessee🍊https://t.co/yffel9uJhC pic.twitter.com/Svf0VbesEn

— On3 (@On3sports) April 4, 2025

What’s next for Mark Pope and the Wildcats? Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe and Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre Jr. are names to watch, as is Princeton’s Xaivian Lee — all standout guards capable of leading Kentucky in Pope’s second season as head coach.

And the list will only grow from here with the transfer portal remaining open through April 22 with reclass and international prospects still on the table down the road.

Until then, let’s keep track of the possible transfer options with the names below:

• Yaxel Lendeborg – UAB – 17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 52.2 FG%, 35.7 3PT%
• Alvaro Folgueiras – Robert Morris – 13.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 54.4 FG%, 41.5 3PT%
• Jaland Lowe – Pittsburgh – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG, 37.6 FG%, 26.6 3PT%
• Jaron Pierre Jr. – Jacksonville State – 21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 42.4 FG%, 38.2 3PT%
• Xaivian Lee – Princeton – 16.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 43.9 FG%, 36.6 3PT%
• Mackenzie Mgbako – F – Indiana – 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT
• Jaron Pierre – Jacksonville State – 21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 42.4 FG%, 38.2 3PT%
• Vyctorius Miller – G – LSU – 8.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 44.7 FG%, 31.8 3PT
• Reed Bailey – Davidson – 18.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 47.7 FG%, 41.5 3PT%
• Rodney Rice – Maryland – 13.8 PGG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 43.4 FG%, 37.4 3PT%
• Abdi Bashir Jr. – G – Monmouth – 20.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 37.7% FG, 38.3% 3PT
• Elijah Moore – G – Syracuse – 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 6.4 APG, 39.1% FG, 31.5% 3PT
• Elyjah Freeman – F – Lincoln Memorial (DII) – 19.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 57.8% FG, 46.3% 3PT
• Frankie Collins – G – TCU – 11.2 PGG, 4.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 42.2% FG, 26.1% 3PT
• Lamar Wilkerson – G – Sam Houston – 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47.7% FG, 44.5% 3PT
• Alex Steen – F – Florida Southern (DII) – 17.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 56.2 FG%, 28.6 3PT

Want more coverage of the Cats? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of an exciting Kentucky basketball season, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club.