Gillespie Joins NBA
San Antonio Spurs Draft Tennessee Guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie No. 42 in 2026 NBA Draft
Key Points
Gillespie became the first Tennessee player to post 650 points and 200 assists in a single season.
In the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 21.8 points per game, including 29 points with six 3-pointers against Miami (Ohio) and 34 points against Texas.
His college journey included stints at Belmont and Maryland before finishing at Tennessee, and the Greeneville native helped Greeneville win two TSSAA state championships in 2021 and 2022.
He shot 33.8% from three on 8.2 attempts per game and 41% from the field this season, while also setting Tennessee's single-season steals record with 79.
Nate Ament was selected No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, marking a high Vols pick in this draft.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie is headed to the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs selected the Tennessee guard with the No. 42 pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, adding a high-motor defender and playmaker to their backcourt University of Tennessee Athletics.
Gillespie averaged 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in his lone Tennessee season. He set the program's single-season steals record with 79 and became the first Vol to post 650 points and 200 assists in a single year CBS Sports. He is the 12th player drafted under coach Rick Barnes, capping a historic night for Tennessee that also saw Nate Ament go No. 13 overall and Felix Okpara go No. 46 On3.
A Long Road Home to Draft Night
Gillespie's path to the NBA wound through three schools over four years. He won back-to-back TSSAA state titles at Greeneville High in 2021 and 2022. He then spent two seasons at Belmont, earning All-MVC honors, before transferring to Maryland University of Tennessee Athletics.
At Maryland, he helped the Terrapins reach their first Sweet 16 since 2016. In April 2025, he came home — transferring to Tennessee for his senior year 247Sports. Gillespie described the draft selection as the culmination of a "lifelong dream" that started on "neighborhood parks with his brothers" Sports Spectrum.
Record-Setting Senior Year Lit Up the Tournament
Gillespie's final college season was his best. He shot 41% from the field and 33.8% from three on a high volume of 8.2 attempts per game. He also shot 81% from the free-throw line On3. His 79 steals broke Tennessee's single-season record.
He saved his best for March. Gillespie averaged 21.8 points per game in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. He dropped 29 points with six 3-pointers against Miami (Ohio) and exploded for 34 points against Texas University of Tennessee Athletics. Tennessee reached the Elite Eight for the third straight year. Coach Rick Barnes called him a "fearless competitor with a high basketball IQ" and a "perfect fit" for the program.
Spurs See a Defensive Pest With Upside
San Antonio drafted Gillespie to add backcourt depth and defensive edge. At the NBA combine, he measured 5'11.75" without shoes but boasted a 6'4" wingspan and a 7'11.5" standing reach On3. Analysts noted his "demon-like" ability to score late in shot clocks as a key factor in his appeal.
Some mock drafts had him sliding as far as No. 60 — the last pick. The Spurs jumping to No. 42 shows strong internal confidence AtoZ Sports. Critics point to his 41% field goal mark and size as concerns. But ESPN's Jeff Borzello argued his production across three different programs proves he is a "plug-and-play" guard who can adapt to any system Pounding The Rock.
Tennessee Cements Its Status as an NBA Factory
The 2026 Draft was a landmark night for the Vols program. Three Tennessee players were drafted — Ament at No. 13, Gillespie at No. 42, and Felix Okpara at No. 46 Rocky Top Talk. It marked the first time in program history Tennessee produced multiple picks in back-to-back draft years.
Gillespie is the 12th Vol drafted since Barnes arrived. Tennessee now ranks alongside Duke and Kentucky as one of only three programs to produce at least 10 picks since 2019 University of Tennessee Athletics. That track record is expected to boost Barnes' recruiting in the 2027 cycle, both in the transfer portal and with high school prospects.
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