Kentucky Reaches Out to Maryland Guard Transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie

Maryland guard transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie entered the portal on Monday and immediately became one of the top players available. Now, Kentucky is getting involved.

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reached out to Gillespie’s father, Bryon Gillespie, on Monday, Byron told KSR+.

Gillespie finished the 2024-25 season averaging 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, starting all 36 games. He shot 45.3 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three-point range.

Confirmed Kentucky Contacts in the Transfer Portal

Kentucky has one commitment in the transfer portal with Tulane wing transfer Kam Williams. The staff has been busy reaching out to

Commitments
Kam Williams – Tulane – 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 48.5% FG, 41.2% 3PT – COMMITTED (Kentucky)

Confirmed Contact

• Ja’Kobi Gillespie – Maryland – 14.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 45.3% FG, 40.7% 3PT
• Yaxel Lendeborg – UAB – 17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 52.2% FG, 35.7% 3PT
• Rylan Griffen – Kansas – 6.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 37.2% FG, 33.6% 3PT
• Keyshawn Hall – UCF – 18.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 42.7% FG, 35.4% 3PT
• Abdi Bashir Jr. – Monmouth – 20.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 37.7% FG, 38.3% 3PT
• Silas Demary Jr. – Georgia – 13.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 39.6% FG, 37.4% 3PT
• Mackenzie Mgbako – Indiana – 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT
• Elijah Moore – Syracuse – 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 6.4 APG, 39.1% FG, 31.5% 3PT
• Taylor Bol Bowen – Florida State – 8.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 47.7% FG, 41.4% 3PT
• Elyjah Freeman – Lincoln Memorial – 19.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 57.8% FG, 46.3% 3PT
• Dedan Thomas – UNLV – 15.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 41.3% FG, 35.3% 3PT
• Frankie Collins – TCU – 11.2 PGG, 4.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 42.2% FG, 26.1% 3PT
• Lamar Wilkerson – Sam Houston – 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47.7% FG, 44.5% 3PT
• Alvaro Folgueiras – Robert Morris – 13.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 54.4% FG, 41.5% 3PT
• Magoon Gwath – San Diego State – 8.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 50.6% FG, 37.8% 3PT