How ESPN Ranks Tennessee Basketball’s Incoming Transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie
Tennessee basketball made a significant offseason addition with the commitment of dynamic guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and ESPN has taken notice. In its recent ranking of the top incoming transfers for the 2024–25 college basketball season, ESPN listed Gillespie as one of the top impact players expected to elevate his new program — highlighting not only his skillset but also the immediate boost he brings to the Volunteers’ backcourt.
Gillespie, a 6-foot-1 guard from Belmont, emerged as one of the best mid-major guards in the country last season. After averaging 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game for the Bruins, he entered the transfer portal as a hot commodity. His blend of explosive scoring, defensive tenacity, and high basketball IQ quickly caught the attention of high-major programs across the country, but it was Rick Barnes and Tennessee that secured his commitment.
According to ESPN’s updated transfer rankings, Gillespie is listed among the top 30 incoming transfers nationally and is projected to be one of the most valuable guards in the SEC next season. Analysts praised his quickness, perimeter defense, and ability to create off the dribble — all traits that align perfectly with Tennessee’s gritty, high-pressure system.
“Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a plug-and-play starter who brings toughness and scoring punch,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote in the rankings breakdown. “He’s a two-way guard who can lead an offense and lock down on the perimeter — exactly what Tennessee needs after losing Zakai Zeigler to the NBA Draft.”
Gillespie’s arrival comes at a critical time for Tennessee. With Zeigler departing and the Vols looking to replace the leadership and spark he brought to the floor, Gillespie is expected to step into a prominent role immediately. While he’s new to the SEC, his numbers and style of play suggest he can handle the transition to a more physical and fast-paced conference.
Perhaps what’s most exciting for Tennessee fans is Gillespie’s ability to change tempo. He can push in transition, pull up from midrange, and finish at the rim with either hand. His defensive instincts, particularly his ability to disrupt passing lanes, also earned him All-Defensive Team honors in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Gillespie’s commitment underscores Tennessee’s strategy of targeting high-level, battle-tested transfers instead of solely relying on incoming freshmen. In a changing college basketball landscape where experience often wins in March, Gillespie brings maturity, poise, and the kind of edge that Vols fans will quickly embrace.
As preseason rankings begin to take shape, Tennessee is expected to remain in the top 15 nationally — thanks in part to additions like Ja’Kobi Gillespie. If his past performance is any indicator, the former Belmont star could be one of the best value pickups in the nation and a major reason Tennessee makes another deep NCAA Tournament run next season.
