Former NBA Player Sets High Expectations for Northwestern Guard

Northwestern guard Phoenix Gill enters his sophomore season looking to take a major step forward, and his father, former NBA player Kendall Gill, already has a pretty clear vision for what that development could look like.

“I’m hoping to see Russell Westbrook with Steph Curry’s jump shot,” Kendall Gill said when asked what he wants to see from his son during his sophomore season. “That’s what we train for.”

The comparison may sound ambitious, but it reflects the type of player Gill is working to become as he looks for a larger role in Northwestern's backcourt.

Gill's freshman season was largely about learning the college game and adjusting to the speed and physicality of the Big Ten. He appeared in 11 games, averaging 0.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 3.5 minutes per game.

He scored his first collegiate points on two free throws against Mercyhurst in the season opener and later recorded career highs of three rebounds and two assists against Jackson State. He also played a career-high 15 minutes against Illinois.

Those numbers don't tell the entire story of what Northwestern believes Gill can eventually become.

Learning From Some of Basketball's Best

Kendall Gill said his son has been studying some of the game's biggest stars as part of his development.

Phoenix has watched Russell Westbrook and Dylan Harper closely while also studying Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokić to learn different aspects of their games.

The goal isn't necessarily to become an exact copy of any one player.

Instead, Kendall believes young players can accelerate their development by studying what successful players already do well.

“Copy and paste,” Kendall Gill said. “It’s not that hard. Don’t try and reinvent the wheel.”

He pointed to Kobe Bryant's study of Michael Jordan as an example of how one generation of players can learn from another.

For Phoenix, that philosophy means taking elements from some of basketball's most successful players and incorporating them into his own game.

The biggest emphasis appears to be on becoming a more complete offensive threat.

Kendall highlighted the importance of being able to attack the paint, create opportunities for teammates after getting into the lane and consistently knock down 3-point shots.

Those skills could become particularly important if Phoenix Gill earns a larger role for Northwestern this season.

A Bigger Opportunity in Evanston

Gill's freshman season provided limited opportunities, but he now enters his sophomore year with another chance to carve out a consistent role.

The 6-foot-3 guard returns to a Northwestern roster that has undergone significant change, creating opportunities for several younger players to step forward.

Gill's high school resume also provides reason for optimism.

Before arriving at Northwestern, he starred at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, averaging 19.1 points per game as a senior while helping the Wolfpack set a school-record 25 wins.

That production helped make him one of the more highly regarded prospects in Illinois before he chose Northwestern.

Now, the challenge is translating that scoring ability to the college level.

Can Gill Become a Bigger Part of Northwestern's Backcourt?

The biggest question entering his sophomore season is how much more involved Gill can become.

His freshman season gave him valuable experience, including opportunities against Big Ten competition, but he will need to show that he can consistently defend, make the right decisions and knock down shots if he wants to earn more minutes.

The shooting component could be especially important.

Kendall's vision of a player with Westbrook's ability to attack and Curry's shooting ability represents the type of offensive ceiling he believes his son can work toward.

Gill doesn't need to become either player.

Instead, taking pieces from those types of players could help him develop into a more well-rounded guard capable of creating his own offense while also making plays for his teammates.

With another offseason of development behind him, the 2026-27 season could provide Gill with his first real opportunity to show how much progress he has made.

For Northwestern, a breakout from Gill would provide another valuable piece in the backcourt and give the Wildcats another young player capable of developing into a larger contributor.

For Gill, meanwhile, the goal is simple: turn the lessons from his freshman season and the work he's put in during the offseason into production on the court.

The expectations from his father are certainly high.

Now, Phoenix Gill gets the opportunity to show what he can do with them.