Spurs second-round pick turns heads with Summer League scoring outburst

The 2026 NBA Summer League is underway, and the latest draft class has been making its presence felt. Among those making an early impression so far is San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who delivered one of the best performances of the week Wednesday in Las Vegas against the Utah Jazz.

Gillespie scored a game-high 25 points with 5 assists while outperforming 2026 No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, who converted just 4 of his 16 field goal attempts. Through four games in the Las Vegas Summer League, Gillespie is averaging 16.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The 22-year-old is currently on a two-way contract after being selected by the Spurs with the 42nd overall pick in June’s NBA Draft. Gillespie spent time at Belmont University and the University of Maryland before transferring to the University of Tennessee ahead of the 2025–26 season. Gillespie shined in Knoxville, averaging 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on his way to earning 2025-26 SEC Newcomer of the Year from the Associated Press. He was also named First Team All-SEC by the conference’s head coaches.

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Gillespie’s scoring ability, playmaking, and defensive instincts have already stood out in Las Vegas, and he will look to provide the Spurs with valuable guard depth as he continues to develop at the professional level.