Suns guard Collin Gillespie on expanded role, what’s led to his improvement
Collin Gillespie said his rising numbers have more to do with opportunity than anything he’s done to improve his game.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks couldn’t leave Target Center without messing with his “Villain Jr.”
Collin Gillespie was just 20 minutes or so removed from scoring 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter of a 108-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on a cold, snowy night Dec. 8 in Minneapolis.
Gillespie is averaging a career-high 13 points and 4.8 assists to just 1.8 turnovers. Shooting 42.5% from 3, Gillespie has made his way into the starting lineup with Jalen Green playing just two games due to a hamstring injury.
He’s been a difference maker for the Suns (14-12) as they face the Golden State Warriors (13-14) on Dec. 18 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Doing a postgame interview that cold, snowy night in Minneapolis, the usually reserved, almost stoic Gillespie appeared to be the only one in the visiting locker room when he broke into sudden laughter in reaction to Brooks approaching him.
“Come on bro, get out of here,” Gillespie said as Brooks grabbed at the collar of his long-sleeved, three-button, sand colored polo shirt.
The always flamboyantly dressed Brooks, leather jacket, dark shades, jewelry and all, told Gillespie to button up the top one on his shirt as he exited the locker room.
It seemed like just another day of teammates giving Gillespie a hard time, but don’t think he’s always on the wrong end of the teasing.
“You’d be surprised, he’s got a lot of personality,” Brooks said.
Suns 108, T-Wolves 105 F.
Got more Suns postgame interviews coming from Collin Gillespie with another special appearance from Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale and head coach Jordan Ott.
And some postgame recap, takeaways from me.
Suns at OKC Wednesday NBA Cup quarterfinals. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hzP78E03eE
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 9, 2025Career start for Gillespie
Gillespie has displayed plenty of game, too, in what has been a breakout season for the 2022 undrafted guard out of Villanova.
“He’s taken a nice jump,” Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “You saw little flashes here and there in Denver, but much more opportunity (in Phoenix) and he’s really taken advantage of it.”
His teammates sure have noticed.
“He’s found a good rhythm to what he does, how he gets his shots,” Suns guard Grayson Allen said. “This offseason, pick-up games, practices, he’s kind of doing the same stuff. It’s cool to see because he’s having a huge breakout year, but it’s kind of the same stuff we were seeing for a while.”
The league has taken notice.
T-Wolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards cited Gillespie when asked about their Dec. 8 loss.
“No. 12, he’s pretty good at basketball,” Edwards said, while nodding his head up and down.
Devin Booker on Collin Gillespie’s impact in Suns taking 41-16 lead after one in 112-100 win at Kings: “Super impactful. He’s a threat. Another ball handler out there. Knocking down shot that we needed him to. Did a good job of picking up Russell (Westbrook). Testing his handle,… pic.twitter.com/S8itr6Hu6c
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 27, 2025‘Not a rah-rah guy’
First-year Suns head coach Jordan Ott saw it coming.
“When I got the job, the positive momentum behind Collin was real,” Ott said. “I could feel it from everyone. Anytime you have a guy that has won on so many different levels, he’s just waiting for an opportunity. Incredible worker. High character. Goes about his business. Not a rah-rah guy.”
Ott stressed the importance of creating off the bounce to Gillespie for his size at 6 feet, 1 inch, to go along with his ability to shoot from 3.
Gillespie has taken heed and become a viable offensive threat. He isn’t flashy, but Gillespie plays fearlessly and has earned the confidence of his coaches and teammates.
“To do it at that size man, it’s hard to do in the league, but that’s a testament to his work,” Suns star guard Devin Booker said. “He puts the work in. He doesn’t cheat any day. Super proud of him. I love being out there on the court with him. He’s never going to look back the rest of his career.”
‘I want to be here’
Gillespie, 26, is on a one-year deal for $2.3 million. After that, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
The Huntingdon Valley, Pa., native wants to stay in Phoenix, but other teams are bound to make a financial run at him if he continues to play at a high level.
“There’s a ton of time,” a grinning Gillespie said. “I’m not even worried about that or focused on that right now. Just play the year out. Hopefully, have a really good year. Win a lot of games and then focus on it after the season, but I would like to be here long-term.”
The max Phoenix can offer Gillespie is a four-year deal for $66.6 million with a starting offer of $14.9 million. It must be a minimum two-year deal and can’t include an option in Year 2.
“I want to be here,” Gillespie added.
‘I can get to the basket’
Gillespie isn’t the quickest, fastest, strongest or the most gifted.
Suns forward Royce O’Neale even joked Gillespie does not finish at the rim after Gillespie hit a 10-foot middy with 6.4 seconds left to stun the T-Wolves, 114-113, last month at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Shoots that pullup,” a smiling O’Neale said. “That’s what he’s good at.”
Gillespie doesn’t have a long wingspan or tremendous athleticism, but he’s been an impact player who has overcome injuries early in his career to help the Suns to a surprise start with a new-look roster.
“He’s a good player,” T-Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “It’s kind of normal trajectory for a guy like him. He’s been in the league now for four years. Got a chance last year at the end of the season through a lot of upheaval and he made the most of it.”
Building off last season
Gillespie was one of Phoenix’s positives to close a crash-and-burn 36-win season in 2024-25.
On a two-way deal in his first year in Phoenix, Gillespie reached double figures in six of his last 12 games, scoring a then-career high 22 points to go with 10 assists and five rebounds in a 124-109 loss March 29 at Minnesota.
“Collin was great,” former Suns teammate Kevin Durant said after that game. “Wish we could’ve got a win for him. That would’ve been even better, but it’s a good stepping stone. Build more confidence.”
Gillespie has certainly built off last season in a big way.
Averaging 17.6 points in an impressive 12-game stretch, Gillespie shot 46.7% from 3 (43-of-92) and established a new career high twice.
Gillespie followed a 24-point effort Nov. 28 in a 123-119 loss at Oklahoma City with 28 points in a 125-108 road victory Dec. 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Not scared of the lights,” Brooks said. “I love how he’s implemented in the starting lineup. Keeping us composed, puts us in the right spots and he’s guarding the ball really well as well.”
‘Just one of those things’
Brooks said Gillespie wanted the “Villain Jr.” nickname.
Gillespie went into that mode against the Lakers that night in Los Angeles.
With Eddie Murphy and Floyd Mayweather sitting courtside, and Booker sidelined due to a groin injury, Gillespie was the star of stars in winning time.
Gillespie scored 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 4-of-6 from distance.
As he repeatedly took life out of the Lakers fans with every dagger 3, Gillespie started to uncharacteristically talk trash to the Suns bench in embracing the moment.
“I really don’t like to do that stuff,” Gillespie said. “I guess because I come from Villanova and Coach (Jay) Wright would be pissed if we were doing that, but I don’t know. It’s just one of those things where you get into the game and you rattle off a couple of buckets in a row, you’re talking to your teammates.”
Collin Gillespie message to Suns teammate Mark Williams after 111-102 win over Spurs.
“Mark. Put the camera right there. Pick up your stuff. Throw your trash away. Leave your locker better than you found it.”
Socks incoming.
On having his side wrapped after the game: “Yes.… pic.twitter.com/Lgn4KV7Oa0
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 24, 2025‘Put the camera right here’
Gillespie is mostly mild mannered, but as Brooks said, he’ll surprise you.
Last month, Gillespie went on a mini rant about Suns big Mark Williams leaving his gear on the floor instead of putting it in a large laundry bin in the home locker room.
“Mark. Put the camera right there,” Gillespie said while pointing at Williams’ socks. “Pick up your stuff. Throw your trash away. Leave your locker better than you found it.”
There’s that personality.
“Collin, he’s one of a kind,” said O’Neale with Gillespie sitting within an earshot of him in Minneapolis. “At first, he never talked. Now he talks a lot.”
‘That kid will respond’
Gillespie is also now major part of opposing teams’ scouting reports.
Enter the defending NBA champions.
Gillespie played huge against the Thunder in a game that was a little too close for OKC’s comfort.
When Phoenix returned to Paycom Center for a rematch Dec. 10 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, Oklahoma City was ready for the Suns — and Gillespie.
Facing more ball pressure from the NBA’s top defensive team, Gillespie went scoreless in the first half of a 138-89 demolition, the worst loss in Suns’ franchise history.
Gillespie scored just two points for the game on 1-of-5 shooting.
“Definitely learn from it, but it’s basketball,” he said. “Stuff like that happens. Every night is not your night. They’re a good team. You got to give them credit.”
Gillespie chalked it up as a bad night.
Ott saw it as an opportunity.
“He’s had such a great run,” Ott said. “He’s obviously moved up in the scouting report. That’s good. That shows great growth of where he’s come from this season and that kid will respond. He’ll respond and get better from this.”
The next game, Gillespie responded.
He hit two 3s in Phoenix’s furious fourth-quarter comeback that just fell short in a 116-114 loss Dec. 14 to the Lakers.
Playing the entire fourth quarter, Gillespie finished the game with 10 points and six assists to just one turnover in 37 minutes.
“You can see the work that he puts in every day,” O’Neale said. “He brings a lot of energy. He’s one of those guys you want on your team.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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