Maryland's Ja'Kobi Gillespie to Enter Transfer Portal Amid Coaching Change

The 'Crab Five' anchor has been all-conference in two leagues.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie talks to the press before an NCAA tournament game. / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

It appears the Crab Five has been washed to sea.

Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie—a star on the most beloved Terrapins team in decades—plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a Monday afternoon report from Travis Branham of 247Sports. The reported move comes a day after coach Kevin Willard's reported departure for Villanova—the culmination of an awkward courtship that overshadowed Maryland's Sweet 16 run.

Gillespie, 21, averaged 14.7 points per game for the Terrapins this season. He started every one of Maryland's 36 contests and was named to the All-Big Ten team a season after an All-Missouri Valley season at Belmont.

BREAKING: Maryland point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is expected enter the transfer portal, sources tell @247Sports.

Named to Third Team All Big Ten. Averaged 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season, shooting 40.7% from three. https://t.co/GPekm7a6j5 pic.twitter.com/E6OSr4LQNU

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 31, 2025

The Terrapins defeated Grand Canyon in the first round and Colorado State in the second round of the NCAA men's tournament before falling to Florida in the Sweet 16.

Gillespie played high school basketball in Greeneville, Tenn., and received offers from Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech as a prospective recruit.

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