Maryland Basketball: Second member of 'Crab Five' enters transfer portal with Kevin Willard off to Villanova
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It has been a rough couple of days for Maryland basketball fans. The Terrapins were eliminated in the Sweet 16 by Florida, Kevin Willard acted clueless as to what his plans were, and then he accepted the Villanova job past the midnight hours. On Monday, Maryland lost a couple of bench players to the transfer portal and two members of the 'Crab Five'.
After Rodney Rice announced his intent to enter the transfer portal, starting point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie is expected to enter as well. According to 247Sports, Gillespie will test the waters of the transfer portal. He came to Maryland after starring at Belmont for two seasons. After averaging 17 points at Belmont, Willard recruited Gillespie to Maryland. In his lone season with the Terps, Gillespie averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, and shot 40% from 3.
BREAKING: Maryland point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is expected enter the transfer portal, sources tell @247Sports.
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 31, 2025
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
Gillespie was Third-Team All-Big Ten after his impressive junior campaign with the Terrapins. Willard relied heavily on Gillespie and his scoring impact. With both Rice and Gillespie set to enter the portal, Maryland likely won't have any of its starting five back. Julian Reese and Selton Miguel are out of eligibility and Derik Queen is likely off to the NBA.
Whoever Maryland hires to replace Willard will have their work cut out for them. They will hope to retain both Rice and Gillespie with some NIL action -- if they aren't already signed somewhere else before.
- Enjoy more Maryland coverage on Maryland Terrapins On SI -
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Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Senior Writer for Michigan Wolverines On SI for the 2024 football season. Trent is also the managing editor for Maryland On SI. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.
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