The Timeline: A Phoenix Suns Podcast Collin Gillespie Joins to Talk About His Role, Hustle, and More!
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Nov 18, 2025 
Collin Gillespie, a guard for the Phoenix Suns and former Villanova standout, shares his journey to earning an NBA contract. He discusses his hustle mentality and how he captures rebounds despite his position. Collin also reflects on playing alongside elite talents like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, emphasizing the importance of work ethic. He reveals the fun origin of his nickname, the Villain Jr., and discusses his evolving role as a more assertive playmaker this season. The conversation provides a unique glimpse into the mindset of a rising NBA player.
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Hustle As A Competitive Edge
- The Suns emphasize hustle and effort as identity-defining traits rather than relying solely on scoring.
- Gillespie and hosts note that consistent effort is a controllable advantage when shots are cold.
How 'Villain Jr.' Was Born
- Gillespie told the story of getting the nickname 'Villain Jr.' originating from Dylan Brooks' self-styling and a joking pickup exchange.
- The nickname spread after Brooks mentioned it to media and it stuck.
Role Shift: More Playmaking
- Gillespie's role grew from scrappy depth to more playmaking and assertive offense this season.
- He still keeps the same competitive habits while taking more shots and initiating offense.