Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie Are Quietly Rewriting the Suns’ Script from Deep
DETROIT - The Phoenix Suns have been a team in transition this season, and while the spotlight often falls on their stars, two under-the-radar names are quietly stealing scenes-and setting records.
Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie, both known more for their grit than their glitz, have emerged as central figures in Phoenix’s evolving offensive identity. Through 41 games, they sit atop the team leaderboard in made three-pointers-O’Neale with 120, Gillespie right behind him at 118. That’s not just a stat line-it’s a statement.
And they didn’t slow down Thursday night, even in a hard-fought loss to the Pistons in Detroit. O’Neale dropped 11 points, hitting three of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.
It wasn’t his most efficient night, but it was another example of how he’s become a steady two-way presence for Phoenix. Since arriving via a three-team trade in 2024, O’Neale has brought a veteran edge, defending multiple positions while spacing the floor with confidence.
Gillespie, meanwhile, continues to be one of the most surprising stories in the league this season. The former two-way guard poured in 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-another efficient, high-impact performance off the bench. His journey from fringe roster hopeful to one of the Suns’ most reliable shooters has been nothing short of impressive.
What’s most striking here isn’t just the volume of threes-it’s what it says about where this team is headed. Phoenix, long known for leaning on midrange maestros and star-driven isolation plays, is shifting into a more balanced, perimeter-oriented attack. And it’s players like O’Neale and Gillespie who are driving that change.
Neither of their paths to this moment has been easy. O’Neale went undrafted, bounced around, and built his name on defense and hustle before adding a dependable outside shot. Gillespie, undrafted as well, spent last season on a two-way deal before proving he belonged with his blend of toughness, pace, and sharpshooting.
Now, they’re not just filling roles-they’re making history. The fact that they rank No. 1 and No. 2 in three-pointers made on the team through the first half of the season is more than a statistical quirk. It’s a reflection of how Phoenix is winning games: by trusting its depth, spreading the floor, and getting production from players who don’t need the ball in their hands for 20 seconds to make an impact.
As the Suns continue their push toward playoff contention, O’Neale and Gillespie aren’t just providing support-they’re helping redefine what this team looks like on both ends of the floor. And they’re doing it with the kind of consistency and confidence that turns role players into difference-makers.
Phoenix’s road trip rolls on Saturday, when they face the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. If O’Neale and Gillespie keep shooting like this, don’t be surprised if the Suns keep climbing-and keep rewriting the narrative.