BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is headed to the NBA.
The San Antonio Spurs selected Gillespie with the No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Gillespie became the latest Volunteer to hear his name called under head coach Rick Barnes, marking the 12th Tennessee player drafted during Barnes’ tenure.
Gillespie spent one season at Tennessee after transferring from Maryland. He immediately became one of the SEC’s top guards, averaging 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game while earning first-team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches.
The Greeneville, Tennessee, native helped lead the Volunteers to the NCAA Tournament, showcasing his scoring ability, playmaking, and perimeter defense throughout his senior campaign. Before arriving at Tennessee, Gillespie also played two seasons at Belmont and one at Maryland.
At Tennessee, Gillespie recorded multiple signature performances, including a career-high 34-point outing against Texas in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. He finished his lone season in Knoxville with more than 100 made 3-pointers while establishing himself as one of the nation’s most productive point guards.
Gillespie now joins a Spurs organization led by All-Star Victor Wembanyama and a young core that includes Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. He is expected to compete for a backcourt role after earning recognition as one of college basketball’s most experienced and productive lead guards.
