The Villanova product breaks down his fit in Phoenix, embracing his reputation as a gritty competitor while offering the high-volume perimeter shooting that sets him apart.
Guard Collin Gillespie has become one of the pleasant surprises in recent years for the Phoenix Suns.
Gillespie's start in the Valley was as a two-way player, eventually receiving his opportunity at the NBA level in the back-half of the 2024-25 season.
Now, the Villanova product is locked into a four-year $48 million deal to serve as a foundational piece of the franchise moving forward. The 6'1" guard is still drawing comparisons to another smaller, gritty point guard that he has arguably exceeded - and he values the parallels.
Gillespie, much akin to McConnell, is known to be a high-level competitor and big-time hustler. He is unafraid to push the pace and to attack the paint in an effort to create advantages for others. It also doesn't hurt that Phoenix has reportedly been interested in McConnell in various times in the past in the context of this comparison.
While the former isn't quite as effective all-around on the defensive side of the ball as the latter, he possesses a trait that differentiates the two. McConnell is a mid-range maestro, but Gillespie provides high-volume three-point marksmanship that adds an incredible amount of value to an offense that owns a relatively capped ceiling.
Beyond the comparisons is Gillespie's openness to embracing various monikers that get thrown his way is an encouraging. Gillespie isn't in over his head. He is fully prepared to take on any role he is called to perform. He is fully embracing the newfound culture that is in the fold under head coach Jordan Ott. The combo guard is also adding value to the organization in ways that extend beyond the court.
Gillespie is truly a strong voice for the franchise, as well as an example of what is likely to come of players that trust the Suns' organization to maximize their talent.
Gillespie also has another McConnell-like teammate in Jordan Goodwin, who provides multi-positional defensive chops, an underrated jump shot, and an intangible edge to the game that benefits the team pound-for-pound. The most vital of the on-court fits for Gillespie's future is Suns' offensive engine Devin Booker.
Starting G Jalen Green is starting at the moment, but Gillespie will receive moments to shine alongside Booker in the near future. The duo compliments one another quite well, and both are only bound to continue growing together.
The first opportunity to see Gillespie in action this season is likely to be on October 5, when the Suns travel to take on the Detroit Pistons in preseason action.
