Ja’Kobi Gillespie

One of six individuals to play in all 33 games, making one start, and aided the team to its first NCAA Tournament bid in eight years.
Averaged 8.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 20.2 minutes per game, finishing with a 48.8 percent field-goal clip.
Ranked second on the team in total rebounding, offensive rebounding (2.3) and defensive rebounding (3.5), as well as third in field-goal percentage (min. 10 FGA) and total blocks (21).
Also placed fourth on the roster in free throws both made (46) and attempted (81), as well as finished fifth in scoring and made field goals (105).
Accumulated three double-doubles, second-most on the team.
In SEC-only action, led the league in total offensive rebounds (57), as well as ranked second in offensive rebounding average (3.2) and No. 16 in total rebounding average (6.2).
Scored in double figures 11 times, had 14-plus points five times, reaching 18 twice, all fifth-most on the team.
Pulled down five-plus rebounds 20 times, with eight-plus 10 times, double digits five times (four in SEC play) and 14 once, all second-most on the roster.
Grabbed at least five offensive boards five times, with six-plus in a team-leading three contests and nine once.
Dished out multiple assists on six occasions, with three-plus thrice, with multiple blocks twice and multiple steals twice.
Posted the second-highest single-game offensive rebound total (nine) on the team, as well as the co-second-highest single-game overall rebounding mark (14).
In SEC-only play, recorded 9.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game, with eight of his 11 double-digit point totals, all five of his showings with 14-plus points, four of his five double-figure rebounding performances and two of his three double-doubles.
Capped the regular season with 10 points nine boards at Georgia (3/8/25).
Had six points and 10 rebounds in an overtime triumph against No. 14/16 Missouri (3/1/25).
Scored 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting at No. 17/21 Kentucky (2/19/25).
Registered a career-high-tying 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes at No. 5/4 Tennessee, shooting 5-of-6 from the floor, making his lone 3-point attempt and going 7-of-9 at the line to set a career best in makes and tie his top count in attempts.
Totaled eight points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a career-high-tying two steals in a career-best 29 minutes versus top-ranked Auburn (2/11/25).
Compiled a career-high 18 points and a career-best 14 rebounds in a then-career-high 28 minutes in a win over Texas, also tying a career best in made field goals with an 8-of-13 clip.
Scored 15 points, then a career high, on 7-of-9 shooting in 23 minutes at sixth-ranked Florida (2/4/25), adding five rebounds.
Recorded 10 points and six rebounds in a victory against ninth-ranked Kentucky (1/25/25), connecting on two 3-pointers.
Notched a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double in a win over sixth-ranked Tennessee (1/18/25), shooting 5-of-6 from the field and 4-of-6 at the line in 23 minutes.
Amassed 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 28 minutes at LSU (1/4/25) in his first SEC action.
Posted nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, seven rebounds and a career-best four assists versus Austin Peay (12/21/24).
Put up 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, adding seven boards, against The Citadel (12/18/24).
Logged nine points and eight rebounds against Nevada (11/21/24) in the Charleston Classic opener and hit his lone 3-point attempt.
Produced 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a career-high-tying two blocks versus Jackson State (11/16/24).
Made his first collegiate start against Southeast Missouri State (11/20/24), totaling six points and five boards.
Opened the year with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double versus UMES (11/4/24).

2023-24 – FRESHMAN (at James Madison)

Appeared in all 36 games, each as a reserve, during the best season in program history.
Averaged 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals in just 14.9 minutes per game, while shooting 66.9 percent from the floor.
Led the team in field-goal percentage and placed second in offensive rebounding (1.5).
Finished co-fourth on the roster in both defensive rebounding (2.8) and total blocks (11), as well as fifth in total rebounding, made field goals (105) and free-throw attempts (70).
One of 18 players—just two were freshmen—in Division I to shoot at least 65.0 percent from the field on 150-plus attempts, finishing No. 11 among that group.
Among just six Division I freshmen in the last five seasons (2019-24) to shoot at least 65.0 percent from the floor with 150-plus tries, alongside High Point’s Juslin Bodo Bodo (2023-24), UCLA’s Adem Bona (2022-23), Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan (2022-23), Northwestern State’s Jalen Hampton (2022-23) and Marshall’s Micah Handlogten (2022-23).
Shot 72.3 percent (99-of-137) on 2-point attempts, one of 12 Division I players—just two were freshmen—to eclipse 70.0 percent on 130-plus attempts, placing fifth among that group.
One of only 11 Division I freshmen in the past 20 years (2004-2024) to shoot 70.0 percent inside the arc on 130-plus tries, joining Gonzaga’s Braden Huff (2023-24), Marshall’s Micah Handlogten (2022-23), Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (2021-22), Duke’s Zion Williamson (2018-19), Texas’ Jaxson Hayes (2018-19), Murray State’s K.J. Williams (2018-19), UCLA’s Lonzo Ball (2016-17), Indiana’s Thomas Bryant (2015-16), UCF’s Tacko Fall (2015-16) and UC Irvine’s Mamadou Ndiaye (2013-14).
Registered one double-double.
Scored in double figures nine times, five of which came in league play, reaching 12-plus on six occasions and 14-plus twice.
Grabbed at least five rebounds in 14 appearances, placing third on the team with seven-plus seven times and reaching double figures once.
Dished out multiple assists on six occasions, twice logging three, as well as had multiple steals four times and multiple blocks twice.
Had the second-most single-game made field goals without a miss (six) by any player on the team.
Scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the Sun Belt Tournament championship game win against Arkansas State (3/11/24).
Compiled nine points and eight rebounds at Georgia Southern (2/24/24).
Put up 10 points, five rebounds and two assists against Georgia Southern (2/17/24).
Tallied 10 points on 4-of-5 field-goal shooting, including a perfect 2-of-2 ledger from deep, versus Georgia State (2/15/24).
Totaled eight points, seven rebounds and a season-best three assists in a season-high 26 minutes at Arkansas State (2/7/24).
Finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists versus Coastal Carolina (2/1/24), shooting 6-of-8 from the line to set season bests in makes and attempts.
Scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and a season-high two blocked shots against Marshall (1/20/24).
Recorded 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 field-goal ledger at Southern Miss (1/6/24), making his lone 3-point attempt and lone free throw.
Amassed 12 points and a season-best 10 rebounds at Hampton (12/16/23), shooting 6-of-8 from the floor and logging two assists.
Scored 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 field-goal clip at Old Dominion (12/9/23), adding five boards.
Produced a season-high 16 points versus Keystone (12/3/23), shooting 8-of-10 from the floor to set a season bests in both categories, and grabbed five rebounds.
Notched eight points, eight rebounds and one block in 20 minutes of action in a double-overtime win at Kent State (11/9/23), plus made his first collegiate 3-pointer.
Opened his career with four points, two rebounds and a block in an overtime victory at fourth-ranked Michigan State (11/6/23).

HIGH SCHOOL

Labeled a three-star prospect by both ESPN and Rivals, with the former ranking him No. 22 in the state of Florida.
Averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a senior, garnering Miami Herald 2A-4A First Team All-Country recognition.
Led his team to a 21-8 record, a district title and an appearance in the regional championship game.
Produced 19.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior, earning FABC 3A Third Team All-State and Miami Herald 2A-4A Second Team All-County plaudits.
Aided the team to a 22-7 mark and a regional title game appearance.
Received Miami Herald 2A-4A All-County Honorable Mention designation as a sophomore after putting up 12.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, helping his team make the regional quarterfinals.
Attended NSU University School as a freshman, averaging 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Played on the AAU circuit with Nightrydas Elite and was tabbed a 2022 All-Nike EYBL Peach Jam Second Team and All-Defensive Team honoree after averaging 15.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steal per game in the elite tournament.
Notable Westminster Academy alumni include current MLB outfielder Michael A. Taylor, former NFL quarterback Danny Kanell and former MLB players Kevin Chapman and Matt den Dekker.

PERSONAL

Full name is Jaylen Isaiah Carey.
Born July 20, 2005, in Davie, Fla.
Parents are Vernon Carey Sr., and LaTavia Carey, a substitute teacher.
Father was a national champion (2001) and All-American (2003) offensive lineman at Miami before going No. 19 in the 2004 NFL Draft to the Miami Dolphins, for whom he started 107 games over an eight-year NFL career (2004-11).
Has an older brother, Vernon Jr., and a twin sister, Taelynn, and a younger sister, Dynver.
Older brother, a 2019-20 All-American and the consensus national freshman of the year at Duke, was selected No. 32 in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and he played 37 NBA games over three seasons (2020-23) before continuing his career overseas.
His late maternal grandfather, Vincent Banks, played basketball at Oral Roberts (1973-75).
Majoring in communication studies.
Enjoys bowling, fishing and spending time with his teammates.
Favorite athlete is LeBron James because he feels he does things the right way.
Best sports memory is winning the Sun Belt Tournament title as a freshman at James Madison.
After donning No. 15 as a freshman and No. 22 as a sophomore, he now wears No. 23 because he just added a number to the latter.
Committed to Tennessee over numerous SEC schools, as well as Cincinnati, Florida State, Seton Hall and USC.
Chose Tennessee because of Rick Barnes’ history of success and the program’s culture.
First Volunteer from Florida since Derek Reese (2015-16) and follows eight total Sunshine State letter winners, including three-time All-SEC honoree Dyron Nix (1985-89) and All-America selection Austin “Red” Robbins (1964-66).