Former Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie made a major statement at the NBA Draft Combine, turning heads with a dominant performance that had scouts buzzing. While much of the pre-draft chatter has centered around the highly-touted freshmen in the 2026 class, Gillespie reminded everyone that experience and skill still matter at the next level.

During Wednesday's second combine game, Gillespie exploded for 24 points in the first half alone, finishing with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field, including a scorching 5-of-8 from three-point range. He also dished out five assists and recorded three steals in roughly 26 minutes of action, showcasing the all-around game that made him a fan favorite in College Park.

Gillespie's strong showing wasn't limited to game action. He shot a combined 65.8% across all shooting drills at the combine, the tenth-best mark among all participants, and ranked in the top 35 in every single testing category. That kind of versatility is exactly what NBA teams look for in a modern guard.

After transferring from Belmont to Maryland and then finishing his collegiate career at Tennessee, Gillespie has taken a winding path to the professional ranks. But with the NBA Draft just over a month away, his stock is clearly on the rise. Many draft experts now project him as a potential second-round pick, and performances like this one only strengthen his case.

In other Terps news, Maryland men's basketball announced it will host Virginia on Friday, November 13 at the XFINITY Center. The matchup marks the second meeting in a newly scheduled four-game series between the Terrapins and Cavaliers, a rivalry that promises to bring plenty of excitement to College Park.

Additionally, the NCAA has approved a two-semester playing season for Division I men's soccer, starting in 2027. The change, which Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski has long advocated for, will see the season begin in the fall and resume in the spring, with the championship games taking place near the end of the academic year.