Suns' Collin Gillespie feels like he belongs after standout season

Gillespie, in his second season with the Phoenix Suns after initially signing as a two-way player in 2024, had a career year. Getting his first real shot at extended playing time in the 2025-26 season, Gillespie posted career highs in points (12.7), assists (4.6), rebounds (4.1) and steals (1.2) in 58 starts.

It was a season of growth for the four-year guard from Villanova. He finished the season on a personal high note, scoring 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting, finishing 6 for 11 from the 3-point line, to go with two rebounds and two assists in the 131-122 series-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs on Monday.

“I learned a lot. I learned that I can play at a high level and that I belong,” Gillespie told The Arizona Republic in the Suns’ locker room at Mortgage Matchup Center. “I learned a lot, especially here in the playoffs, about championship-level stuff, playing a really good basketball team — the details in that.”

Gillespie spent the first three years of his career as a two-way player, which allows a player to split time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate. He didn’t see much playing time until arriving in Phoenix.

He says those years spent as a two-way player were critical to his development this season.

“I worked really hard through my first three years when I wasn’t really playing,” Gillespie said. “Just taking advantage of that opportunity.”

With injuries across the board on the Suns’ roster, including guard Jalen Green for most of the season's first half, Gillespie slotted in and made the most out of the situation.

“A lot of that credit is to my teammates, finding me, putting me in good positions to be successful, the coaching staff,” Gillespie said.

Not only did Gillespie have a career season, but it was also one of the best shooting seasons in franchise history.

Gillespie finished with 232 made 3-pointers, a new franchise record for most 3’s in a single season. Gillespie took down the old record set by Quentin Richardson in 2005.

His teammates trust him now.

“He just needed that opportunity,” Devin Booker said. “He took full advantage of it, from Day 1. He’s a true hooper. Everybody that’s been teammates with him in the past has spoke about it. He had a real opportunity. I’m happy he got that this year. He was a champion in college for a reason. He brings that mindset to practice every day, the leadership in the locker room. He’s somebody that you want to go to war with.”

Dillon Brooks just hopes that Gillespie keeps the same mindset he had as a two-way player, fighting to get minutes on the court, whenever the numbers come in on Gillespie’s new contract.

"You can see he really capitalized on his opportunity," Brooks said. "Didn’t look back. I’m proud of him. I hope he doesn’t get too high on that because there’s another season coming and now people are going to prepare for him differently. Tip my hat to him because he’s had a great season and he’s part of this organization, part of what we got going on. My stress is to keep working.”

Gillespie’s one-year, $2.2 million deal is set to expire after this season. His new contract will be significantly bigger. Gillespie can sign up to four seasons starting at a $14.9 million salary, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Gillespie reaffirmed his desire that he wants to be back with the Suns next season. He said he’s already been in contact about a return.

“I want to be here,” Gillespie said. “They know that. I’m sure we’ll figure something out. Right now, just process this, reflect on the season, probably this next week. Then figure that out when that needs to be figured out. This is where I want to be. I want to make this my home. They know that. We’ve had good conversations about it.”