Overview
- Ja'Kobi Gillespie was selected 42nd overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
- Gillespie averaged 18.4 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals as a senior at Tennessee and earned All-SEC First Team honors.
- Scouts praise his scoring, playmaking and active hands on defense but note his 6-foot frame may limit switchable defense at the NBA level.
- The Spurs have not announced whether Gillespie will sign a standard or two-way contract and he is expected to compete for a two-way roster spot or G League development time.
- Gillespie is the second Volunteer taken in this draft after Nate Ament and he joins a Spurs roster built around young stars where second-round picks often develop on two-way deals.