This week, the NBA Draft Combine is being held, featuring the top prospects for the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. This includes a trio of Tennessee basketball stars hoping to hear their names called: Nate Ament, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara.
On Wednesday, Gillespie suited up to participate in a scrimmage for the first time. He absolutely made the most of his opportunity.
Against other top NBA prospects, the point guard produced 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field and 5-for-8 on threes. He also produced five assists, three steals and a block with three turnovers in nearly 26 minutes.
Ironically, just one player outscored him in the game, and it was former Vol Cameron Carr. The Tennessee transfer who went on to star at Baylor dropped 30 points, on 9-for-18 shooting from three and 6-for-12 on threes with seven rebounds.
Jakobi Gillespie is feeling it!
He finishes the first half with 24 points 👀 pic.twitter.com/2gPPrmxeZa
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 13, 2026
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Gillespie measured at 5-foot-11.75 and weighed 181.8 pounds at the combine, according to Jon Chepkevich. He owns a 6-foot-4 wingspan and 7-foot-11.5 standing reach, as well.
This past season was his first and only at Tennessee, but he left his mark. The Greeneville native produced 18.4 points per game on 41% shooting from the field and 33.8% on threes. He also contributed 5.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds per outing.
The result of the strong year was being named the SEC Newcomer of the Year (AP) and First-Team All-SEC (coaches) member. The team made a run all the way back to the Elite Eight, as well, before getting beaten by eventual national champion Michigan. The run featured upsets over Virginia and Iowa State to get there, though.
Gillespie started his career with two seasons at Belmont and one year at Maryland before transferring to UT.
