Collin Gillespie: Player Profile
Early Life
Collin Gillespie was born on June 25, 1999, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. He grew up in a supportive environment, with his father serving as a police officer. For high school, Gillespie attended Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania.
In high school, Gillespie was not a highly touted Division-I recruit early on. But after a standout senior year, during which he averaged 24.1 points per game and led his high school to the PIAA Class 5A state title in 2017, he caught the attention of several colleges. He was named Philadelphia Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News and Catholic League Most Valuable Player. On April 14, 2017, he signed a letter of intent with Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball.
College Career at Villanova
Gillespie enrolled at Villanova in fall 2017. Though he initially considered redshirting, he was included because he “was playing above his years.”
- Freshman year (2017-2018): Gillespie quickly earned playing time, scoring double figures in his second collegiate game. He suffered a fractured bone in his left hand in December, which sidelined him for over a month, but returned mid-January. He contributed in Villanova’s march to the national championship, ending the season as NCAA champion.
- Sophomore year (2018-2019): He raised his production, averaging 10.9 points per game.
- Junior year (2019-2020): During this season, he had standout games, including a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double and a 29-point effort in a win over Temple. Over the season, he averaged roughly 15.1 points, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He was honored with a place on the All-Big East Second Team.
- Senior year / Graduate year (2020-2022): Coming into his senior season, Gillespie was on the watchlist for the Bob Cousy Award (best college point guard), and was named to the Preseason First Team All-Big East. He suffered a torn MCL in March 2021 which ended his season prematurely. Nevertheless, he returned for the extra COVID-granted year and continued to shine. In February 2022, despite playing on a swollen ankle, he scored a career-high 33 points in a win vs Providence.
By the end of his Villanova career, Gillespie had established himself as one of the program’s standout guards, recognized for his leadership, shooting, versatility, and resilience.
Professional Career
Denver Nuggets / Grand Rapids Gold (2022-2024)
Gillespie went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. Soon after, he signed a two-way contract with Denver Nuggets. He played for Denver’s 2022 Summer League squad, where he averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over four games.
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Unfortunately, he suffered a lower leg fracture which delayed his NBA debut. Despite not appearing in a regular-season game, Gillespie ended his rookie season as an NBA champion when the Nuggets claimed the 2023 title. On July 18, 2023, he re-signed with Denver on another two-way contract.
Phoenix Suns (2024-present)
On July 2, 2024, Gillespie signed a two-way contract with Phoenix Suns. He made his debut for the Suns on October 26, 2024, in a home opener win over the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
Career Achievements and Honors
- NBA Champion (2023) with Denver Nuggets
- NCAA Champion (2018) with Villanova Wildcats
- Two-time Big East Player of the Year (2021, 2022)
- Two-time First-team All-Big East (2021, 2022); Second-team All-Big East (2020)
- Two-time Robert V. Geasey Trophy (2021, 2022)
- Third-team All-American honours (AP, SN, USBWA, NABC) (2021, 2022)
- Bob Cousy Award winner (2022)
- Big East tournament MVP (2022)
Playing Style and Strengths
During his college years and into his professional career, Gillespie built a reputation for:
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- Sharp shooting, especially from beyond the 3-point arc.
- High basketball IQ and court vision that allowed him to facilitate offense and make smart plays.
- Leadership and resilience, repeatedly coming back strong from injuries (hand fracture, torn MCL, leg fracture) to contribute meaningfully.
- Versatility, able to rebound from guard position and play both scoring and playmaking roles when needed.
Collin Gillespie’s journey reflects resilience, growth, and perseverance. From being under-recruited in high school to becoming a decorated college star at Villanova, and eventually earning a place in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, his story is one of hard work paying off.
Despite hardships and injuries, his leadership, shooting, and basketball IQ made him a valuable guard, both in college and professionally.
FAQs
Q1: When and where was Collin Gillespie born?
A: He was born on June 25, 1999, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Q2: Which college did Collin Gillespie attend and for how long?
A: He played college basketball at Villanova University from 2017 to 2022.
Q3: Was Collin Gillespie drafted into the NBA?
A: No, he went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Q4: Which teams has Collin Gillespie played for in his NBA career so far?
A: He signed with the Denver Nuggets (2022-2024), including stints with their G League team, the Grand Rapids Gold. In 2024, he signed with the Phoenix Suns.
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Q5: What are some of Collin Gillespie’s major achievements in his basketball career?
A: His major achievements include winning the 2018 NCAA Championship, being two-time Big East Player of the Year, earning the Bob Cousy Award, and becoming an NBA champion in 2023.
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