2026 NBA Draft: Ja'Kobi Gillespie Scouting Report
- Babcock Hoops
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Ja'Kobie Gillespie
Position: Guard
College: Tennessee
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'1", 188 lbs
Birthdate: March 10, 2004
Previous Colleges: Maryland, Belmont
High School: Greenville HS (TN)
Player Overview
Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a tough, skilled guard whose shot-making, feel, and scoring versatility make him an intriguing backcourt prospect. At 6’1”, he brings real perimeter range with a quick trigger, plus the handle and craft to create space and score at all three levels. He’s comfortable playing on or off the ball, and while he isn’t a pure point guard, he can generate offense within structure as a creator. Defensively, he competes with energy and active hands; however, his lack of size is a swing factor. If he continues to sharpen his playmaking consistency and holds up within team concepts defensively, Gillespie has the skill and competitiveness to translate into an NBA role.
"The cards are always stacked against smaller guards in today’s NBA. However, Gillespie’s toughness, competitiveness, and winning ways, along with his ability to hit tough shots, including from deep, give him a real chance." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Outside Shooting: Deep range, good elevation, and a quick release make him a real threat from outside.
Three-Level Scoring: Can score from deep, the midrange, and inside with touch and versatility.
Off-Ball Movement: Moves well without the ball and around screens to create clean looks.
Shot Creation Tools: Tight, shifty handle and good footwork help him create separation and get to spots.
Crafty Finishing: Creative finisher who can score inside and finish through contact; effective floater package.
Poise & Feel: Plays with confidence and balance, keeps his head up, and handles pressure well.
Playmaking in the Flow: Not a pure point guard, but capable of generating assists and making reads within structure.
Competitive Edge: Plays with energy and toughness; brings consistent effort on both ends.
Defensive Activity: Active, quick hands; will pick up full court and compete possession-to-possession.
Concerns
Lack of Size: Smaller guard who can struggle defending bigger, stronger players on drives and in post-up situations.
Screen Navigation: Can have trouble fighting through screens consistently, especially versus physical actions.
Defensive Discipline: Will gamble in passing lanes at times, which can compromise positioning.
Playmaking Ceiling: Still developing consistency as a primary facilitator and can miss reads at times.
Bottom Line
Gillespie is a talented, confident, and well-rounded guard with a legitimate scoring tool kit. He can shoot with range, score at all three levels, and create offense both on and off the ball, using his handle, footwork, and touch to generate quality looks. He’s also a crafty finisher inside with the ability to absorb contact, and his floater and midrange package helps him stay productive when the paint is crowded.
The swing factor is how his size translates defensively, particularly against bigger, stronger perimeter players and in screen actions. While he competes and plays with active hands, he’ll need to stay disciplined and hold up within team concepts. If he continues to sharpen his playmaking consistency while maintaining efficiency as a scorer, Gillespie projects as a valuable guard who can space the floor, make plays within an offense, and contribute in multiple lineup combinations.
