Where Tennessee Basketball's top two targets are ranked in NCAA Transfer Portal
Tennessee Basketball’s top two targets in the NCAA Transfer Portal are both ranked in the top 10 in the On3’s transfer portal rankings. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is ranked No. 5 in the On3 Industry Ranking while Isaac McKneely is ranked No. 9.
The Vols hosted McKneely, the 6-foot-4 Virginia guard, on a visit on Tuesday and the Tennessee coaching staff traveled on Wednesday to visit Gillespsie, the in-state prospect and Maryland guard.
“Tennessee has all the momentum to land Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie, sources tell On3,” On3’s Pete Nakos wrote on Wednesday. “The Greeneville, Tenn., native, started his career at Belmont before spending this season at Maryland.
“Despite the Terrapins hiring Buzz Williams on Tuesday, Maryland is not expected to bring back Gillespie. And his former head coach Kevin Willard is now at Villanova, but Tennessee has the momentum and has been in constant contact.”
Ja’Kobi Gillespie this season: 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 40.7% 3FG
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.
He played his first two seasons of college basketball at Belmont, averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 26.2 minutes per game, starting 32 times in 57 games with the Bruins.
He averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals in 31.4 minutes per game as a sophomore in 2023-24, starting 24 times in 25 games.
“Gillespie was one of the best point guards in the country after transferring to College Park from Belmont last spring,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote while ranking Gillespie No. 5 overall.
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“He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range. He went for 24 points vs. Kam Jones and Marquette in November.”
Isaac McKneely ranked No. 20 in NCAA Transfer Portal by ESPN
On3’s Industry Ranking has McKneely at No. 9. The On3 Rankings have him 13th and he’s ranked 20th according to ESPN.
“This had shaped up into a battle between Louisville and Tennessee,” Nakos reported, “but the Cardinals have now landed Kennesaw State point guard Adrian Wooley and Xavier guard Ryan Conwell.
“Meanwhile, the Volunteers need to completely revamp their backcourt with guards Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey all leaving the program. Tennessee has the slight edge to land Isaac McKneely this point, a source told On3.”
McKneely averaged 14.4 points and shot 42.1% from the 3-point line in 34 games with the Cavaliers this season.
“An elite shooter, McKneely was one of the bright spots for the Cavaliers this season,” Borzello wrote. “He averaged 14.4 points as a junior and 12.3 points as a sophomore, shooting better than 42% from beyond the arc in both seasons.”
