Former Tennessee star Ja’Kobi Gillespie selected by San Antonio Spurs in NBA Draft
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Former Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is heading to San Antonio. The shifty Vols guard was selected by the Spurs 42nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Here’s the moment Gillespie’s dreams came true:
Gillespie is an intriguing addition to an already strong and young Spurs backcourt, one that finished just short of an NBA title. San Antonio has several great guards with Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and De’Aron Fox leading the show. While Gillespie may not play much early behind this well-established unit, he’s entering a great system for guards with Victor Wembanyama drawing heaps of attention from defenders.
The former Vol is a little on the smaller side for an NBA guard, but he makes up for it with his smooth scoring ability. Gillespie can get to the basket and can hit tough shots off balance. He’s also a strong 3-point shooter who seems to get better the further away he is from the basket, a trait that should pay off in the NBA.
Gillespie was one of 3 Vols selected in the 2026 draft alongside Nate Ament and Felix Okpara. Ament was the first Vol off the board, taken with a lottery pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. Okpara, on the other hand, was selected No. 46 overall by the Orlando Magic, but he’ll be heading to Washington to play with the Wizards and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
