Villanova's brotherhood basketball included him as well.

This year, as Bridges, Brunson, and Hart claimed the NBA title, their journey of winning championships together in both college and the pros has turned into a legend. Browsing Villanova's 2017-18 roster, I noticed a familiar name as well.

Collin Gillespie, the Suns' biggest revelation last season, enrolled at Villanova in 2017-18 and won a national title as a freshman with his senior teammates. Within the team, Gillespie gradually earned a rotation spot and even played as a backup point guard in the final, recording 4 points and 5 rebounds.

In the following years, Gillespie became the team's absolute star, but with his senior teammates drafted into the NBA, Villanova's strength waned. He couldn't lead the team back to its former glory, and his junior season was canceled due to the pandemic.

During his senior year, Gillespie injured his knee late in the season, which was eventually diagnosed as a torn MCL, ending his season. He missed the NCAA tournament for two consecutive years. Unwilling to end it that way, he used the COVID waiver to play a fifth year.

That season, he averaged 34.2 minutes per game, contributing 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1 steal, with shooting percentages of 43.4% from the field, 41.5% from three, and 90.5% from the free-throw line. He was named the Big East Player of the Year for two straight years. Finally, he made it to the NCAA tournament, but fell in the semifinals, unable to fulfill his dream of leading the team to a championship.

At 23, he had no choice but to enter the draft. He declared in 2022 and went undrafted. Though he had been dominant in college, his 6-foot-1 height and average athleticism made his undrafted status unsurprising.

He didn't have to wait long, though. After the draft, the Nuggets signed him to a two-way contract. In four Summer League games, he averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, proving he could adapt to the higher level.

But misfortune struck quickly. He suffered a severe injury during a pickup game: a fractured left tibia and fibula, plus a dislocated ankle. After surgery, the Nuggets announced Gillespie would miss the entire 2022-23 season. Looking back, he endured a string of injuries from college to the NBA—a broken left hand as a freshman, a broken nose as a junior, a torn MCL as a senior, and now a season-ending injury just as he entered the league.

Normally, a two-way player with a serious injury before the season starts would likely be cut to free up a roster spot. That's what Gillespie thought when he got hurt. But the Nuggets didn't do that. He stayed with the team, and they helped him recover.

That season turned out to be the Nuggets' championship run, making Gillespie something of a lucky charm—he won a title in his first college season and his first NBA season. But for him personally, that ring felt meaningless, as he had no real involvement.

In the 2023-24 season, he signed another two-way contract with the Nuggets. He was a superstar in the G League, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds, but played only 24 games in the NBA. With limited opportunities in Denver, he signed a two-way deal with the Suns in 2024.

That move changed his career. Though he played only 33 games for the Suns, he started 9 of them, averaging 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. His 43.3% three-point shooting was impressive, making him one of the best off-ball shooters alongside Kevin Durant.

Last season, he finally signed his first official NBA contract—a minimum deal, but still a huge step forward. He played 80 games, became the Suns' starting point guard, and had a breakout season.

He averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, shooting 40.1% from three. Gillespie was often the team's third option behind Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. His shooting skills were on full display—catch-and-shoot threes, off-the-dribble threes, and pull-up mid-range jumpers off screens. He also handled the ball to initiate offense, serving as the Suns' playmaker.

By season's end, he had made 232 three-pointers, a new Suns franchise record and seventh-best in the league. His defense was far tougher than his appearance suggested, averaging 1.2 steals per game and diving for every loose ball. No small guard survives in the NBA without being tough, and Gillespie is no exception.

Thanks to his stellar play, Gillespie could have signed a contract worth up to over $60 million over four years in the offseason. Instead, he agreed to a four-year, $48 million extension with the Suns. A guard averaging 12+4+4 with over 40% three-point shooting taking less than a mid-level exception is an incredible bargain, arguably the best signing of the offseason.

Looking back at Villanova's 2017-18 roster, the so-called "Villanova Five"—Pascal, Spellman, DiVincenzo, Brunson, and Bridges—all made it to the NBA. Back then, Gillespie was just a little brother following in their footsteps.

Now, with Brunson and Bridges winning the title this year, Gillespie, who already had a championship ring from his early days, has also landed a big contract and carved out his own path. The legacy of Villanova's 2018 roster continues to grow.