Ja’Kobi Gillespie Earns SEC Player of the Week After Back-to-Back Statement Performances for Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie has officially arrived on the SEC stage this season, earning SEC Player of the Week honors after a pair of commanding performances that helped the Volunteers cruise to two dominant home wins. The recognition, announced Monday, is shared with Kentucky’s Otega Oweh - but make no mistake, Gillespie’s week was a showcase of control, leadership, and clutch scoring.
This marks the first time this season a Tennessee player has taken home the league’s top weekly award, though the Vols have been no strangers to SEC honors. Forward Nate Ament has already picked up three SEC Freshman of the Week nods, and now Gillespie adds to the trophy shelf with a performance that reminded everyone just how dangerous Tennessee’s backcourt can be when firing on all cylinders.
Gillespie’s Week: Numbers That Pop, Impact That Resonates
Let’s break down the numbers: 19.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over two wins, while knocking down 40% of his threes. But the stats only tell part of the story - Gillespie was the engine behind Tennessee’s offense, dictating pace, finding teammates, and stepping up when his team needed a bucket.
He opened the week with a statement game against No. 11 Louisville, pouring in 23 points, dishing out five assists, and grabbing three boards in an 83-62 win that wasn’t as close as the final score suggests.
Gillespie was electric in the second half, scoring 20 of his 23 after the break and going a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line. That kind of efficiency under pressure is rare - in fact, he became the first Volunteer to hit double-digit free throws without a miss since Jaden Springer did it back in February 2021.
And he didn’t let up. Just a few days later, Gillespie delivered again - this time with precision passing and floor generalship in a 94-52 rout of Gardner-Webb.
He tallied 15 points and a season-high nine assists in just 24 minutes of action. Throw in a steal and another efficient shooting night, and you’ve got a complete performance from a player who’s clearly hitting his stride.
A Veteran Leader in a Deep Rotation
Gillespie’s emergence is a big deal for a Tennessee team that’s already shown flashes of high-level potential this season. At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, the Greeneville, Tenn., native plays bigger than his frame suggests - not just with his scoring ability, but with his poise and presence. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s running the show.
And under head coach Rick Barnes, Gillespie becomes the 14th different Volunteer to earn SEC Player of the Week honors during Barnes’ 11-year tenure on Rocky Top. That group has now combined for 25 total weekly awards - a testament to the program’s consistent ability to develop top-tier talent.
Looking Ahead: Vols Gear Up for Post-Holiday Push
With a 9-3 record and a No. 19/20 national ranking, Tennessee is in the midst of an eight-day break before returning to action on December 30 against South Carolina State. It’s a chance to reset, refocus, and gear up for the grind of conference play. And if Gillespie keeps playing at this level, the Vols will have a steady hand leading the way - one who’s already proven he can deliver in the big moments.
For now, Gillespie’s week stands as a reminder of what happens when talent meets opportunity - and capitalizes on it. Tennessee fans should be excited. The SEC has been put on notice.