Freddie Gillespie

BIOGRAPHY

Frederick Gillespie was born June 14, 1997 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a Center in the NBA.

Gillespie grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota and played football growing up until trying basketball in eighth grade. He entered East Ridge High School at 5'11" and did not play basketball his freshman year, after breaking his ankle on the first day of team tryouts. He grew to 6'4" by the time he was a sophomore, and subsequently played on the junior varsity team. Gillespie played varsity ball as a junior but tore his ACL late in the season, causing him to miss the summer AAU circuit  He finally returned to the court healthy in his senior season, although Gillespie did not receive any all-conference honors. After receiving no Division I or II scholarship offers, Gillespie opted to attend Division III Carleton College.

Gillespie started his collegiate career at Division III Carleton College, choosing the school due to its academic pedigree. He played only 16 total minutes in his true freshman season despite being, in his words, “the most athletic, biggest guy in that whole conference." As a sophomore, Gillespie averaged 10.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, shooting 53.2 percent from the field. He was named second-team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Following the season, he decided to attempt to transfer to a Division I program. A friend of Gillespie's mother, former Minnesota player and assistant coach Al Nuness, was able to put him in contact with Baylor coach Scott Drew through his son, Jared Nuness, a member of the Baylor coaching staff.

Gillespie joined the Baylor basketball team as a walk-on, sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules and then earning a scholarship. As a redshirt junior, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 26 games played. On December 9, 2019, Gillespie was named Big 12 Player of the Week after contributing 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks in a win over Arizona At the conclusion of the regular season, Gillespie was named Big 12 Most Improved Player, Second Team All-Big 12 and to the All-Defensive Team after averaging 9.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Gillespie signed a training camp contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

On January 11, 2021, the Memphis Hustle selected Gillespie with the 2nd pick overall in the 2020-2021 NBA G League draft. In 15 games, he averaged 10.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 27.8 minutes while shooting .570 from the field and recording six double-doubles.

On April 8, 2021, Gillespie signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors. Two days later, he made his debut with the Raptors, recording six points, four rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block in 18 minutes during a 135–115 win. On April 18, Gillespie signed a second 10-day contract. On April 28, Gillespie signed for the remainder of the season. He was represented by sports agency Beyond Athlete Management.