Jakobi Gillespie scores 24 in scrimmage

Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s week in Chicago turned into one of the louder late-second-round storylines at the 2026 NBA draft combine. The Tennessee guard scored 24 points in the first half of a scrimmage at Wintrust Arena on May 14, according to combine coverage from ESPN-affiliated outlets and Tennessee-focused reports. The outburst came one day after Gillespie put up 28 points, five assists and three steals in another 5-on-5 game at the combine, giving teams a second straight live look at his scoring against draft-eligible guards. Chicago is the center of the predraft process this week. The NBA said 73 players were invited to the 2026 draft combine, which runs from May 10 through May 17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The league’s draft FAQ says the next major deadline is June 13, when early-entry players must withdraw, before the draft is held June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. (on3.com) ### How big was Gillespie’s scoring burst in the scrimmages? May 14 was the day Gillespie closed a first half with 24 points, including a pull-up 3-pointer at the horn, according to On3’s account from Wintrust Arena. That report said the performance came in the second game of 5-on-5 play and drew attention after Gillespie arrived in Chicago projected as a second-round pick. (nba.com) May 13 was nearly as productive. On3 reported Gillespie scored 28 points in 26 minutes off the bench in his first scrimmage, shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 5-for-8 from 3-point range while adding five assists and three steals. ESPN’s combine recap published through ABC stations listed him among the Wednesday standouts and said the 5-on-5 setting gives projected second-rounders a chance to solidify their status. (on3.com) ### Where did Gillespie stand entering the week? ESPN’s post-lottery mock draft, published April 28, projected all 60 picks and placed Gillespie at No. 60, the final pick of the draft, according to later ESPN-linked combine coverage that cited the ranking. On3’s May 14 report said Gillespie entered the combine projected to be a second-round pick and pointed specifically to that No. 60 slot. (on3.com) ESPN’s May 13 combine roundup framed the scrimmages as a place where players outside the top tier could move the needle. The article said most projected first-round picks opted out of scrimmage play, which is customary, leaving more room for players lower on boards to be evaluated in live settings. ### Why were these games getting so much attention from teams? (espn.com) The NBA describes the combine as a weeklong event that includes measurements, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, scrimmages and meetings with team officials. NBA.com said the new AWS data hub is designed to put those measurements and tests into context, but the league’s own combine overview still lists live action and scrimmages as part of the evaluation process in Chicago. (abc7.com) Wintrust Arena matters in part because so many decision-makers are in one place. NBA.com’s combine announcement said invited players are required to attend and participate unless excused by the league, and the draft FAQ says the event gives prospects the chance to meet with NBA team officials as well as complete on-court work. (nba.com) ### What does Gillespie bring from his college résumé? Tennessee’s roster page lists Gillespie at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds. Sports-Reference lists him at 18.4 points and 5.4 assists per game in 37 games for Tennessee in 2025-26 after previous stops at Belmont and Maryland. His path is older and more traveled than many one-and-done prospects in this class. (nba.com) Sports-Reference shows Gillespie played 130 college games across four seasons, and Tennessee’s bio lists a career high of 34 points against Texas on Jan. 6, 2026. ### What comes next after Chicago? May 17 is the final day of the 2026 NBA draft combine in Chicago, according to NBA.com. (espn.com) June 13 is the withdrawal deadline for early entrants, and the 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23-24 at Barclays Center, with Round 1 on June 23 and Round 2 on June 24. (nba.com) (sports-reference.com)