NEW YORK, N.Y. - Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Archbishop Wood High School) was named the 2021-22 BIG EAST Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a ceremony this afternoon at Madison Square Garden. Last season, Gillespie was named co-BIG EAST Player of the Year alongside teammate Jeremiah Robinson- Earl and Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili. 

Gillespie joins former backcourt partner Jalen Brunson as two of the three players in BIG EAST history to earn the league's player and scholar-athlete of the year honor in the same season. Brunson, who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association, spoke with Gillespie shortly before today's ceremony at Madison Square Garden. 

This is also the first time a Villanova Wildcat has been named BIG EAST Player of the Year twice. Prior winners include Robinson-Earl and Brunson, Josh Hart (2017), Ryan Arcidiacono (2015), Randy Foye (2006) and Kerry Kittles (1995).

Gillespie was joned today by his parents, Jim and Therese Gillespie, head coach Jay Wright and his wife Patty and Villanova Vice-President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson at today's ceremony. 

Other major award winners announced today included Freshman of the Year Ryan Nembhard (Crieghton) and Coach of the Year Ed Cooley (Providence). Longtime Georgetown radio voice Rich Chvotkin was presented with the Jim O'Connell Media Award.

On the court this season Gillespie has helped the Wildcats to a 23-7 overall record, including 16-4 in the BIG EAST. The Wildcats begin the postseason ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press weekly poll and are the No. 2 seed in this week's BIG EAST Tournament presented by Jeep. The Wildcats will play a BIG EAST quarterfinal game Thursday evening at 7 p.m. against the winner of Wednesday's clash between No. 7 St. John's and No. 10 DePaul.

As a graduate student, Gillsepie carries a 3.92 grade point average.