Collin Gillespie had the worst possible start to his career. Holder of a “two-way contract” in Denver, the playmaker fractured his left leg during a friendly match during the summer of 2022, at his faculty in Villanova. A player thus ended up in his legs and thus broke his tibia.
Result: an operation and several months of absence. Difficult to make a more gloomy scenario for a player who was going to discover the NBA…
“The action was weird. I don’t blame the kid because he felt really bad, but I don’t want a player throwing himself at my legs anymore.”he remembers for the Denver Post. “When I got injured, I said to myself that it was not good. But it shows what this franchise looks like. She is special. They didn’t let me down and I’m very grateful to them. »
NCAA Champion in 2018
Supposed to be absent for six to nine months, the former Villanova will finally miss the entire season. He will therefore really launch his career in the coming days, during the Summer League in Las Vegas.
“I’m healthy and ready to go,” confirms the 2018 NCAA champion. “I can’t wait to play. I worked a lot but nothing replaces matches. You learn a lot about yourself. I was able to grow physically and mentally. I hope it will allow me to be in a better position for the coming season. »
The 2023 champions assistant coach, John Beckett, who manages the Denver team during the summer league, is delighted to reunite with Collin Gillespie. “He worked so hard to come back from this injury. He was always there, doing his job on the court and in the weight room. I am happy for him. »
