Tennessee had a record-setting performance — in a good way — in an otherwise dreadful loss to Michigan
Ja’Kobi Gillespie entered the program’s record books in his final game as a Vol.
Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie only had one season on Rocky Top, but his name is now etched in the program’s record books. The Maryland transfer came to Knoxville last offseason with plenty of hype and expectation, and he delivered in a big way this season, leading the team in minutes per game (34.8), scoring (18.4 ppg), assists (5.4) and steals (2.1).
Regarding that latter category, Gillespie quietly put his name at the top of the single season steals list during Tennessee’s 95-62 loss to Michigan in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie broke the program’s single season steals record against Michigan
Coming into the game, Gillespie had totaled 73 steals on the season. That was one behind Kennedy Chandler (2021-22) for second all-time and five behind LaMarcus Golden (1993-94) for most in program history. By the time the game was over, Gillespie had picked up six steals, reaching 79 for the season and moving past Golden by one. (It should also be noted that Golden reached his mark in just 27 games, so credit where it’s due there.)
Gillespie also became one of just four Tennessee players in program history to reach 100 three pointers on the season, knocking down 103. He joins Chaz Lanier (123 last season), Chris Lofton (three times from 2005-2008), and Santiago Vescovi (2021-22) as the only players to reach that mark.
It was another memorable season for the Vols, and despite his time in Knoxville having come and gone too quickly, his name and the mark he left will remain for many years to come.
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