Villanova Transfer Targets: Ja’Kobi Gillespie Visits Tennessee

While they need to fill at least six roster spots ahead of next season owing to graduating seniors and Nnanna Njoku’s transferring, Villanova Men’s Basketball has yet to pick up any players through the transfer portal.

Nearly all of the Maryland Terrapins’ roster hit the portal following former head coach Kevin Willard’s departure for Villanova, including recent entries like rising sophomore DeShawn Harris-Smith, Jahari Long (who missed the season due to injury) and seven foot tall center Braden Pierce, another rising sophomore.

One of the biggest names on the Terrapins’ transfer list (and, understandably, a top Villanova target) is starting guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who led the Terrapins with an average of 31.6 minutes per game and finished first or second on the team in points (14.7), assists (4.8) and steals (1.9) per game. Right now, however, Gillespie looks like a solid bet to transfer to Tennessee. He’s a native of the Volunteer State and paid an official visit to Knoxville earlier this week. Despite a report from CBS Sports’ insider Jon Rothstein that the Wildcats showed interest in Gillespie after he entered the portal, there hasn’t been any motion on that front yet.

Rodney Rice, another Terrapins’ starter during their Sweet Sixteen run this season with half the NCAA after his services, could return to College Park per a report from Sam Jane of The Diamondback, but has quite a list to choose from regardless.