Breaking: Ja'Kobi Gillespie Enters the Transfer Portal

Photo courtesy of Landen Secrest

With the 2023-24 basketball season coming to an end for most teams, players are beginning to enter their name into the transfer portal, looking to move on to other opportunities. 

And with Belmont’s season likely ending with a loss to Northern Iowa in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, it too has fallen victim. 

On Friday, sophomore sensation Ja’Kobi Gillespie announced he would be entering the transfer portal on X, formerly known as Twitter.  

“I am so grateful for all of my coaches, teammates, trainers, administrators, and the entire Belmont community for these last two years. I have grown and matured tremendously here and very blessed to have Belmont be apart of my journey,” Gillespie said in the announcement. “I also want to thank all of my teammates for the lifelong relationships we have made. After talking and praying with my family, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal with two years of eligibility!” 

After a freshman season that saw him garner MVC All-Freshman Team and MVC All-Bench Team honors, Gillespie broke out during his sophomore season, averaging 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season while shooting nearly 39% from behind the arc. 

Due to his stellar season, Gillespie was awarded with All-MVC Second Team and All-MVC Defensive Team.  

But now Belmont fans will have to wait and see how Belmont can reload and replace Gillespie’s production through the transfer portal while waiting to see if any other players leave.  

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This article was written by Ty Wellemeyer