GLENDALE – Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks has earned his notoriety via his villain persona that he has fully embraced. That mindset has turned the former second-round pick into a premier role player on a contending team. Since his arrival to the Valley, Brooks has promised to bring that same energy to the fans of Phoenix, which has hinted that he might not be alone in that regard.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Brooks has acknowledge that there is a “Villain Jr.” on the team, who he’ll reveal by opening night.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) reacts with guard Jalen Green (4) after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Brooks on who “Villain Jr.” could be:
The mystery of who could fill this role is an exciting development before the start of the 2025-2026 season. The options can vary to any of the young prospects on the roster, with four rookies on the roster and two second-year players. However, the answer might be a player that came into the league with low expectations and has flourish because of his hard-nose play, that being guard Collin Gillespie.
The 26-year-old guard went undrafted in the 2023 draft, after a successful college career. Gillespie rode the bench through his first year with the Denver Nuggets, not given a serious opportunity. The Suns have given Gillespie a chance to earn his minutes in the league, which has been filled with nothing but energy and grit.
Apr 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham (22) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Other players like Ryan Dunn or Rasheer Fleming would fit the bill of being young wings, filling in the “Jr.” part of the name nicely. Despite that, Gillespie’s playstyle fits perfectly into the archetype of the type of player Brooks was and has become in the NBA.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
