Player Preview: Collin Gillespie isn’t the underdog anymore

Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.

Point Guard, 6’1″, 195 pounds, 27 years old, 4th season

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Collin Gillespie has been a diamond in the rough for the Phoenix Suns, as they have found someone who went from a two-way player to a record-setter in just two years. He has transformed his NBA image through sheer tenacity and determination never to give up. This upcoming year, he looks to build on that image as a potential starting guard alongside Devin Booker.

After a big offseason payday, Gillespie needs to keep stamping his name in the franchise record books like he did last year. That is when he set the franchise record for most threes in a season with 232, and this season looks like a chance to build on it. With two of the better three-point scorers gone, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, it is likely that Gillespie can continue the hot streak from last year.

Last Season

GP

MIN

PPG

RPG

APG

STL

FG%

3PT%

FT%

OFFRTG

DEFRTG

+/- (TOTAL)

80

28.5

12.7

4.1

4.6

1.2

41.8%

40.1%

87.4%

113.7

110.0

+200

Last year, Gillespie set out to make an imprint on the Suns’ rotation early, and he did. After an impressive second half on his two-way contract, he earned a full deal and returned for a prove-it season. Last season was key, and he stayed healthy for most of it, playing in 80 games. He did start on the bench; however, playing alongside big men Oso Ighodaro and Mark Williams, he showed off his playmaking skills and true knack for setting up teammates. The bench unit’s simple pick-and-roll plays, with him at the helm, brought early success to this underdog unit.

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As he continued to show he could be a solid bench point guard, the Suns realized they should get him in the starting lineup. With Jalen Green dealing with his hamstring injuries, Gillespie then saw himself inserted to replace him. Alongside Booker, he looked solid and had some big moments in his newfound role. One I remember was in December against the Wolves: with no Devin Booker, he…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/player-preview-collin-gillespie-isn-150000885.html

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Publish date : 2026-09-23 15:00:00

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