Tennessee basketball officially began its preseason practice Tuesday afternoon with tipoff for the 2025-26 season just under six weeks away.
Maryland transfer point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie met with the local media for the first time since arriving in Knoxville Tuesday afternoon ahead of the practice. Gillespie talked playing for his hometown team, growing as a vocal leader and much more. Here’s everything Gillespie said.
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On what made Tennessee an attractive destination in the portal
“I mean, it’s home for me. And then Coach Barnes is obviously here. It’s a winning program. It’s been like to the Elite Eight two times in a row, so that kind of really made me want to come here.”
On what separates Rick Barnes from other coaches at this level
“Just how long he’s done it, how many guys he’s got to the next level, and just how successful he’s been everywhere he is.”
On what it’s been like being back home
“I mean, yeah, I’ve seen a lot of my old friends and family. I can see my mom and dad a lot more, so it’s been real fun here.”
On him being more vocal being a point of emphasis
“The coaches have been really saying that to me, just being more of a leader, because I’m an older guy and have experience in a tournament, stuff like that. So, yeah, it’s been really (an emphasis).”
On if it’s a challenge for him to be vocal
“I mean, yeah, I think just— I’m not really outspoken, but I feel like being here has been a lot easier for me to kind of use my voice more.”
On how far back his Tennessee basketball memories go
“I came to some games with like Scotty Hopson playing. Jarnell Stokes, like all them guys.”
On if it’s been surreal playing for Tennessee
“Yeah, I mean it was definitely surreal. I wouldn’t say weird, but yeah, just watching growing up is definitely surreal being back here.”
On what he’s seen from newcomers Ethan Burg and Clarence Massamba in practice
“They’re both really good players and know how to play the game. Clarence is a little younger, so I feel like he has just a little longer ways to go with experience and stuff, but yeah, I feel like they’re both really good and know how to play.”
On his impressions of Nate Ament
“Just a really special player on the court and off the court he’s also special, just a really outgoing, funny guy.”
On working on chemistry with a team with a lot of newcomers, what they’ve done to bond
“I mean, really anything. We were watching the games this summer, like the NBA Finals, all that stuff. And then we have a lot of team events with the recruits. And we also use that as time to bond with each other.”
On whose idea it was to wear the checkerboard overalls for the Georgia football game
“That was Nate’s idea.”
On if everyone was receptive to it
“Some of us they had to talk into it like the day of, but yeah, I feel like everybody wanted to do it.”
On having the keys to the team
“I mean, yeah, coming here, that’s what I knew my role was going to be. That’s what Coach Barnes told me. So really just taking on that role and trying to be the best leader that I can and be the best for my teammates.”
On if he’s talked to Zakai Zeigler or any other former Tennessee point guards about playing for Rick Barnes
“Yeah, a little bit. And I worked out with Zakai one time when he was here. But yeah, I’ve talked to some of them.”
On if they scared him
“No, it didn’t scare me *laughs*”
On if he’s made any significant changes to his game
“I mean, no, not really. Just getting better, like everyone, but also, I would say defense. I’ve kind of improved a lot on that end just from the practices here.”
