Villanova Graduate Collin Gillespie Beats Odds, Signs Second Contract

Villanova graduate Collin Gillespie cashed in on Saturday, June 20, signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Phoenix Suns according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

Gillespie, a two-time Big East Player of the Year during his time on the Main Line, bounced around in the G-League for much of his first three professional seasons. He earned an extended chance with the Suns at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, signing a one-year, $2 million “prove-it” deal last offseason.

Prove himself Gillespie did, playing 80 games (58 starts) with Phoenix this past season and averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He set the Suns’ franchise record for three-pointers in a single season, helping them inch into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

Undrafted free agents like Gillespie face an uphill battle to play any substantial minutes in the NBA, much less sign a second contract. His beating the odds provides another feather in the cap for former Villanova head coach Jay Wright’s attitude-centered philosophy. Perhaps more important than the second contract, Gillespie will stay with an organization that fits him — much as he did with the Wildcats.