schools
Two Vols, one Commodore selected in 2nd round of NBA Draft
By Chris Harris at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Former Tennessee high school Mr. Basketball winner, Ja’Kobi Gillespie is headed to the NBA. The Greenville native and former Tennessee Vol was selected with the 42nd pick in the draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Minutes later, Gillespie’s Tennessee teammate, Felix Okpara, ...
Key takeaway The Greenville native and former Tennessee Vol was selected with the 42nd pick in the draft by the San Antonio Spurs.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The selection of Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Felix Okpara, and Tyler Nickel in the NBA Draft is a testament to the strong basketball programs in Tennessee. For Vanderbilt, Nickel's draft is a significant milestone, marking the first Commodore to be drafted since 2020. His achievement is a boost to the university's men's basketball program, which has a rich history of producing talented players. The fact that Nickel will be playing for the New York Knicks, a high-profile team, will likely increase visibility and interest in Vanderbilt's basketball program, potentially attracting more top talent to the school. Meanwhile, the draft of two Tennessee Vols, Gillespie and Okpara, demonstrates the state's continued production of elite basketball players, which can have a positive impact on the local sports scene and inspire young athletes in the Nashville area.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Former Tennessee high school Mr. Basketball winner, Ja’Kobi Gillespie is headed to the NBA. The Greenville native and former Tennessee Vol was selected with the 42nd pick in the draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Minutes later, Gillespie’s Tennessee teammate, Felix Okpara, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chris Harris at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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