Ja'Kobi Gillespie just made the Spurs' signature strength even more terrifying

For as much praise as Victor Wembanyama deservedly receives, the San Antonio Spurs' greatest strength may be their elite guard depth. With an abundance of shot creators and playmakers, San Antonio can throw more high-level guards at opponents than just about any other team in the NBA.

If summer league is a sign of things to come, then Ja’Kobi Gillespie just made the Spurs’ tremendous backcourt even more terrifying for the rest of the NBA.

San Antonio selected Gillespie at No. 42 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. It was a steal of a pick, as the 22-year-old has the tools to be a high-level playmaker and defender whose outside shot has looked inconsistent at times, but has also appeared to be elite in a top-tier conference.

Gillespie put those abilities to use on Wed., July 15, when he went off to the tune of 25 points, five assists, and two steals on 10-of-21 shooting from the field and a 3-of-8 mark from beyond the arc during a 94-82 summer league win over the Utah Jazz.

Considering Gillespie went off against No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson, the Spurs have every reason to at least be intrigued by what he managed.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie puts up 25 points vs. Darryn Peterson at summer league

The Spurs’ top three guards all rank among the best players at their respective positions, either in terms of the present or their potential. That starts with All-NBA point guard De’Aaron Fox, continues with future All-Defense mainstay Stephon Castle, and continues with the unfathomable upside belonging to Dylan Harper.

Devin Vassell rounds that group into form as a wing who can operate at either the 2 or the 3 and provide efficient three-point shooting and invaluable midrange proficiency.

What Gillespie represents is an opportunity to create even more playmaking and defensive depth in the backcourt. It may be tough to find minutes with those high-volume players in the mix, but foul trouble and injuries are both factors that come into play. Furthermore, the Spurs’ starting lineup could soon undergo rather drastic changes.

At some point in time, Harper will likely become a starter—meaning one of Castle, Fox, or Vassell could be moved to the second unit.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie adds even more guard depth to Spurs’ elite unit

In the event that such transpires, Gillespie could prove invaluable. He could either operate as the primary playmaker for the second unit if Vassell makes the move or support Fox with defensive intensity and shooting if the All-Star guard becomes the new sixth man.

Regardless of how it manifests, the Spurs will need another guard to emerge as a viable playmaking and defensive option—and Gillespie looks the part.

Gillespie swarms opponents as an on-ball defender and creates havoc in the passing lanes. He also shot 38.7 percent on 4.2 three-point field goal attempts per game in 2023-24 and 40.7 percent on 5.9 attempts in 2024-25, when he played in the Big Ten. Those marks offset some of the concerns about him shooting 33.8 percent on 8.2 attempts per contest in the SEC in 2025-26.

If Gillespie ultimately makes the roster and provides the type of shooting, playmaking, and defensive value he’s showcasing at summer league, an elite strength will become even stronger for the Spurs.

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