COLLEGE PARK, MD – Coming off a standout sophomore campaign at Belmont, Ja’Kobie Gillespie (Greeneville, TN) has officially signed with the Maryland men’s basketball program as announced by head coach Kevin Willard today.
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals last season for the Bruins. He was named to the Missouri Valley All-Conference Second Team and the MVC All-Defensive Team. Additionally, he was selected to the conference’s Most-Improved Team.
“Ja’Kobi comes in as a well-rounded, athletic guard who can score and defend at a high level,” said Willard. “He wants to compete at the highest level and has a daily drive to keep improving, while also making those around him better.”
Overall at Belmont, Gillespie played in 57 games (32 starts) averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the floor including 34.8 percent from the floor. In 2023-24 he saw his productivity jump from 9.6points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds to 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.
As a sophomore, he posted 22 double-figure scoring games which included a career-high 26 points against Southern Illinois. He also ranked among the MVC’s leaders in seven statistical categories including first in steals, fifth in scoring, and sixth in assists per game. He was one of just two players in the country to average over 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
As a freshman, Gillespie was named to the 2023 MVC All-Freshman Team and the All-Bench Team. He had a season-high 24 points at Northern Iowa in his rookie season where he hit double digits in 16 games. He finished the year third in the MVC for steals (1.5), fifth in total steals (49), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.83).
Coming out of Greeneville High School, Gillespie was named the 2022 Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball – the first player from northeast Tennessee to earn the honor in the 37-year history of the award. He was a two-time Player of the Year honoree and twice named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team. Gillespie tallied 2,129 career points and averaged 27.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in leading Greeneville to the 3A state championship as a senior. In the state tournament, he was named the Most Valuable Player after averaging 26.3 points.
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals last season for the Bruins. He was named to the Missouri Valley All-Conference Second Team and the MVC All-Defensive Team. Additionally, he was selected to the conference’s Most-Improved Team.
“Ja’Kobi comes in as a well-rounded, athletic guard who can score and defend at a high level,” said Willard. “He wants to compete at the highest level and has a daily drive to keep improving, while also making those around him better.”
Overall at Belmont, Gillespie played in 57 games (32 starts) averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the floor including 34.8 percent from the floor. In 2023-24 he saw his productivity jump from 9.6points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds to 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.
As a sophomore, he posted 22 double-figure scoring games which included a career-high 26 points against Southern Illinois. He also ranked among the MVC’s leaders in seven statistical categories including first in steals, fifth in scoring, and sixth in assists per game. He was one of just two players in the country to average over 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
As a freshman, Gillespie was named to the 2023 MVC All-Freshman Team and the All-Bench Team. He had a season-high 24 points at Northern Iowa in his rookie season where he hit double digits in 16 games. He finished the year third in the MVC for steals (1.5), fifth in total steals (49), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.83).
Coming out of Greeneville High School, Gillespie was named the 2022 Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball – the first player from northeast Tennessee to earn the honor in the 37-year history of the award. He was a two-time Player of the Year honoree and twice named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team. Gillespie tallied 2,129 career points and averaged 27.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in leading Greeneville to the 3A state championship as a senior. In the state tournament, he was named the Most Valuable Player after averaging 26.3 points.
