The Tennessee Vols will be well represented at the NBA Combine this year. Freshman phenom Nate Ament, center Felix Okapra, and veteran point guard Ja'Kobi Gillepsie are all in attendance this week, looking to improve their draft stock ahead of June's NBA Draft.
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If there is one thing that Tennessee fans know, it's that Ja'Kobi Gillespie is an absolute superstar, and he helped put the Vols back on track when they needed it most. Well, Gillespie has continued that trend, as he's now showing out in front of NBA scouts and GMs, scoring 28 points and making five three-pointers in his first game at the NBA Combine.
Kobi showing out 👀
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) May 13, 2026
28 PTS and 5 3PM in his first game at the NBA Draft Combine pic.twitter.com/XkEptF8pIN
Ja'Kobi Gillepsie has a career night at NBA Combine
What a showing from Gillespie against some of the best NBA Draft prospects in the country. Performances like this matter, especially for a player currently projected as a late second-round pick. The more he proves he can compete and stand out against elite talent, the more likely it becomes that he solidifies himself as a true draftable prospect heading into next season. We saw him do this time and time again for the Vols, but doing it at the combine hits even harder.
Not to mention, Gillespie has a ton of qualities that translate well to the next level. He’s got a dangerous jump shot, can hit deep threes, and is comfortable working in the mid-range too. He’s also not afraid to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. The confidence really jumps off the screen with him, and you can tell he improved a lot as both a playmaker and decision-maker under Rick Barnes, averaging a career high of 5.4 assists last year. Defensively, Gillespie can be an asset as well. He averaged over two steals per game and proved to be a strong team defender. He won’t just provide scoring at the next level, but also the ability to hold his own on the perimeter.
Gillespie projects as a spark-plug backup point guard who can play about 15 minutes a night, run the second unit, and still give you the occasional big scoring night when he gets rolling.
What Gillespie still needs to improve is some of his decision-making. Too often, he committed turnovers in moments when Tennessee simply needed to take care of the basketball. At 6-foot-1 and 22 years old, his size and age will likely remain concerns for NBA teams, especially in an era where franchises are increasingly drafting 6-foot-6 point guards who are only 18 years old. That will likely hold home back from going on the first round, even if he keeps producing like he is.
All in all, it’s great to see Gillespie still performing at a high level even after his time in Knoxville. He was a great asset to the program, even if it was only for one season, and hopefully, he can continue that trend as his professional career begins.
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