Exclusive: Ja’Kobi Gillespie discusses living out his ‘dream’ at Tennessee
Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie spent a few extra days in San Francisco when the Terrapins were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in the Sweet 16. It was then, he and his family made the decision to go into the transfer portal. On Friday, he announced he was coming home as the Greeneville native is officially a Tennessee Volunteer.
“I mean, it’s always been my dream and that’s just like home for me,” Gillespie told Volquest after announcing his decision. “I couldn’t even think about Tennessee without my stomach and chest getting excited so I just knew it was the right spot.”
The conversations with Rick Barnes left an impression. The top Vol and his entire staff made their way to Maryland earlier in the week and were able to convince Gillespie to shut things down and not take any visits.
“It was great,” Gillespie said. “He’s a funny dude. He sells a lot of jokes and stuff. I mean basketball wise, he told me he needs a point guard. I’m gonna have the keys to the car and he wants me and once I commit, he’s gonna get a lot of other players too.”
And now Gillespie can go help Barnes and company recruit others. The Vols will need to build around Gillespie and that’s why it made sense to not wait.
“Yeah, for sure once he told me that I was like that’s when I decided I was gonna go ahead and post it today,” Gillespie said.
The feeling was one that gave Gillespie a jolt of energy. He was ecstatic and had a big smile on his face.
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“Yeah, I mean it just it feels good just finally being able to come back home and have the same people that support me a high school be able to support me Tennessee,” Gillespie said. “I mean, it means a lot to me and my family. We all grew up going to Tennessee football and basketball games so it’s just it just means a lot being from there.”
So what’s Tennessee getting in Gillespie?
Gillespie started all 36 games at Maryland this season, averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assists in 31.6 minutes per game while shooting 45.3% from the floor and 40.7% from the 3-point line, where he made 87 of 214 attempts.
“Just an experience point guard that wants to win and only cares about winning,” Gillespie said.
He has watched Tennessee from afar and been able to see how Barnes uses his point guards. He has watched Zakai Zeigler thrive and make and impact on both ends of the floor.
“Rick has always loved his point guards,” Gillespie said. “I feel like all his point guards are successful there and he also he told me that I’m gonna have the same role. He don’t like taking his point guards out so I gotta get ready.”
