Last week, the Kentucky Wildcats missed out on point guard Donovan Dent in the transfer portal when he decided to commit to UCLA instead. Since then, they have turned their attention to other options, including Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who entered the portal on Monday.
Gillespie started his college career at Belmont before transferring to Maryland after a breakout sophomore season. Last year, he played a key role in leading the Terrapins to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. He also recorded 1.9 steals per game while shooting over 40% from three-point range.
According to Kentucky Sports Radio, Wildcats coach Mark Pope contacted Gillespie by speaking with his father after he entered the portal. Landing him in Lexington would be a major victory.
Several other programs are expected to pursue Gillespie as well. His skill set suits any system, but his leadership would be especially valuable to Big Blue Nation.