NBA
CG
#12

Collin Gillespie

Guard · Phoenix Suns · 6'1", 195 lb · Born Jun 25, 1999 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Drafted Undrafted, 2022
2× Big East POY2018 NCAA champUndrafted grinderClutch
NBAPhoenix SunsGuards
Compare:vs Bookervs Brooksvs Allenvs Greenvs Goodwinvs Williams
In short

Collin Gillespie is a 6-foot-1 point guard for the Phoenix Suns — a tough, high-IQ playmaker who won an NCAA title at Villanova (2018) and was a two-time Big East Player of the Year. Undrafted in 2022, he spent time on a two-way deal in Denver (a 2023 NBA champion, though he didn't appear) before joining Phoenix and breaking out in 2025-26 as a starting-caliber playmaker.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceTue, Nov 10
@Philadelphia 76ersAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
12.8
range 10.1–15.5
Line 12.5
54%
to go over
Team win
37%
113–116
Poi 12.8 Lean overReb 4.1 Lean overAss 4.6 Lean overPRA 21.5 Lean under
Likely on himVJ Edgecombe· 76 Perimeter DSolid defender
10+ pts82%15+ pts23%

Model lines Gillespie at 12.8 pts (range 10.1–15.5) vs a 12.5 line — a lean to clear it (54%).

Model favors Philadelphia 76ers (63%), projected 113–116, ~228 total at 96.8 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Gillespie
The Gillespie Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
🔊 Prototype uses your browser's built-in voice. Production would use a studio-grade AI narrator.

A tough, high-IQ point guard — a two-time Big East Player of the Year and clutch playmaker for the Suns.

A 2018 NCAA champion and two-time Big East Player of the Year at Villanova, Gillespie went undrafted in 2022.

🏫 Villanova · undrafted🏆 2018

He spent time on a two-way deal in Denver during their 2023 title run.

Denver two-way2023 title run

He joined Phoenix and broke out in 2025-26 as a starting-caliber playmaker.

12.7 ppg · 4.6 apgBreakout

Tough, high-IQ, and clutch, he earned a genuine NBA role.

~40% 3PClutch
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
12.7
2025-26
RPG
4.1
per game
APG
4.6
per game
FG%
.418
.401 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A tough, high-IQ point guard — a two-time Big East Player of the Year and clutch playmaker for the Suns.

Collin Gillespie was born in Philadelphia and had a decorated five-year Villanova career — an NCAA champion in 2018, a two-time Big East Player of the Year, and the 2022 Bob Cousy Award winner — before going undrafted in 2022. He spent time on a two-way deal in Denver during their 2023 title run (without appearing in the Finals).

He joined Phoenix and broke out in 2025-26 as a steady starting-caliber playmaker — around 12-13 points and 4-5 assists a game with clutch shooting — a testament to his toughness, high basketball IQ, and persistence.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Gillespie is a blue-collar Philadelphia product — the son of a police lieutenant and an X-ray technician — who was under-recruited out of high school before starring at Villanova and becoming one of its most respected leaders. His emotional control, work ethic, and toughness carried him from undrafted to an NBA rotation.

His on-court identity is high-IQ, tough playmaking — a 6-foot-1 point guard with ball-handling, three-point shooting (around 40%), clutch scoring, and leadership, even drawing a Steve Nash comparison during a Phoenix breakout. His size and defensive matchups are the limitations, but his shooting, poise, and IQ give him a genuine NBA role.

PERSONALITY

The person

A tough, high-IQ point guard — playmaking, three-point shooting, and clutch leadership.

High IQA cerebral floor general with strong feel.
Clutch shooterAround 40% from three with game-winning nerve.
Tough grinderUndrafted, he worked into a starting-caliber role.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Point Guard · Shooter
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring62
Playmaking65
Rebounding44
Perimeter D64
Rim protection23
Spacing71
Athleticism70
Clutch64
a high-volume shooting point guard
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

High-IQ, tough playmaking

Gillespie's value is cerebral, tough playmaking — a 6-foot-1 point guard with ball-handling, reliable three-point shooting (around 40%), clutch scoring, and leadership, who broke out into a starting-caliber role in 2025-26 (around 13 points and five assists). His poise and IQ, capped by game-winners, give Phoenix a genuine rotation guard.

Size the limitation

The limitation is size and defensive matchups against bigger guards — the question for whether he holds a starting role long-term. But his shooting, playmaking, and toughness give him a durable NBA role; his rise from undrafted to a starting-caliber playmaker is a testament to his feel and work ethic.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-268028.512.74.14.6.418.401

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2018NCAA champion at Villanova
CollegeTwo-time Big East Player of the Year and 2022 Bob Cousy Award winner
2026Career-high 30 points vs. Portland during a breakout season

Hardware

2×
Big East Player of the Year
1×
NCAA champion (2018)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A tough, high-IQ point guard on the rise — playmaking and clutch shooting for the Suns.

After years as a two-way and depth guard, Gillespie emerged in 2025-26 as a starting-caliber playmaker for Phoenix — around 13 points and five assists with clutch shooting. His IQ, shooting, and poise give him a durable role; whether he holds up defensively is the question for a long-term starting spot.

PlaymakingStrong
Three-point shootingStrong
Basketball IQ / clutchStrong
Size / defenseLimited

Contract

Path
Undrafted → starter
Role
Point guard playmaker
Age
27 prime
Bottom line

A tough, high-IQ point guard and two-time Big East Player of the Year who rose from undrafted to a starting-caliber breakout — playmaking, shooting, and clutch poise for the Suns.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Collin Gillespie known for?

Tough, high-IQ playmaking and clutch shooting — a two-time Big East Player of the Year and 2018 NCAA champion at Villanova who broke out as a starting-caliber guard for Phoenix.

Was Collin Gillespie drafted?

No — he went undrafted in 2022 and worked his way up through a two-way deal before becoming an NBA rotation guard.

Did Collin Gillespie win a championship?

He won the 2018 NCAA title at Villanova and was on Denver's roster during their 2023 NBA title run, though he did not appear in the Finals.