So, just trying to inspire in that type of way and keep representing the heritage. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. I dont think any kid can just make that move that I made but I understood the goal that was at hand and I just embraced the Mississippi culture, you know, the inner city and it was good for me, Booker said. Booker returned in 2018 and won the contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in the final round. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . The Latino community says they will stand behind him. Sometimes I would go up to [Michigan] to watch him. Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. As the Valleys oldest and most historic professional sports team, the Phoenix Suns have continuously strived to represent and connect with the surrounding Hispanic community that makes up the largest demographic in Phoenix. Family has always been first and foremost in Bookers life and seeing that embracement of family values within the Hispanic community has only helped Booker admire and connect to his ancestry. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I would definitely, my moms rice, her sopa, cheese, and the tortillas, that's all you need, said Elena Beltran. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. That was the only reason I put Devin there. Devin Booker, 25, has made quite the impression on the basketball court as part of the Phoenix Suns, and it seems his skill and hard work runs in the family. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In August 2011, Devin scored 17 points in the fifth game of the season, against Gulfport High School. His score was higher than the rest of his team combined. He made his professional NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his 19th birthday. Now, with the Suns winning and Bookers background gaining prevalence, Ochoa has noticed an increased interest from Latinos around the cityand even from new fans in Mexico. Devin initially refused to go to Mississippi. Devin Booker remembers hopping in the car with his mother, Veronica Gutierrez, as she took a more than two-hour drive from their home in the suburbs of Grand Rapids, Mich., to Detroit to spend time with his Papa. I had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. Latin-American ambassador: Booker's maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to. Imagine how I have to paint that picture over the airwaves so that those who listen to us who are Mexican, so that they can feel proud of a guy who shares their blood being an NBA star and who might be the most important player in the city since Larry Fitzgerald.. Devin Booker scored a franchise-record and NBA season-high 70 points on March 24, 2017. With his mom and dad sitting next to him in the 2015 NBA draft green room, Devin was selected with the 13th overall pick by the Suns last year. When the same thing happened in 2021, LeBron James, via social media, proclaimed Booker the most disrespected player in our league., Devin Booker pours in 47 points in Game 6 win. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. His father played professional basketball in the NBA and overseas, and Booker spent his summers in Italy when his father was playing for Olimpia Milano. The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. But Booker says it was here in Phoenix where he first experienced the Mexican culture. For her to allow it to happen is unbelievable.. Gutierrez and her son said yes before his sophomore season. He went on to play in the NBA for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-1996 season and the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors during the 1996-1997 season. Valdes says hes a diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him hopeful. Devin Booker spends his sprawling $26.6 million fortune to live a lavish life. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you don't get as much of it, besides the time that I spent with my grandpa and my mother, what she's passed down to us. Getting the tacos, like for realnot the ones in Michigan, not the ones in Missouri. After being cut by the Atlanta Hawks in training camp, Booker played five games with the Denver Nuggets and 16 games with the Golden State Warriors during the 1996-97 season. Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. Perla Macias, Jasons wife and a Mexican national who moved to the States at 6 years old and just recently became a citizen, has been involved with Latino outreach organizations around Phoenix. He's a former NBA player himself, born on August 20, 1972, and is the reason Devin is the star he is today. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, and he has referenced his strong ties to his family and Mexican culture on multiple occasions. The city I grew up in and the high school was predominantly black. Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. Doesn't booker have more wins against luka overall? He was always shooting with correct form.. To see it turn out the way it turned, the process is quicker than he expected and now to see him having the success hes having on this level is amazing. Devin Booker, 70 points - March 24, 2017. Booker's traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. But now, Ochoa is almost levitating as he calls an NBA Finals game surrounded by a deafening crowd. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns first All-Star since Nash. Even then, he still dedicated portions of his post-practice routine to footwork and shot-making on the block. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. I think its a combination of growing older and being exposed to more culture, Gutierrez wrote. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. At the end of the day, hes my thoughtful, caring, giving, lovable, funny, charming son., The NBA has only had four players come directly from Mexico Horacio Llamos, Eduardo Najera, Jorge Gutierrez and Gustavo Ayon. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, David Robinson, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor and Kobe Bryant as the only ones to score that many points in a single game. Get to know the Utah Jazz's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. He became an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Moss Point High School, after retiring from playing professionally. It was special. Booker has this charisma that people connect with, Ochoa said. In April 2015, Devin decided to let go of the remaining years of college and signed up for the NBA draft. Mac McClung checking his new followers. Me knowing Devin, hes going to continue to work hard and continue to try to get better.. Devins mother is Victoria Gutirrez, a Mexican-American who has two other children. A mural, commissioned by the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center and painted by 17 artists, spans a city block and features everything from portraits of Selena, Cesar Chavez, and Carlos Santana to mariachi-playing skeletons and bright red lowriders. If you count him as a Mexican, which Im going to do and I think a lot of us will, hes the best Mexican basketball player ever, said Mike Vigil, a third-generation Mexican American who hosts a Suns podcast called The Timeline. Twenty-four-year-old Gerardo Gutirrez and his brother, 20-year-old German Gutirrez, are two of the few people there, sipping the last drops of their Dutch Bros iced coffee and taking pictures of the stadium marquee signaling that their team is hosting an NBA Finals. Spin: Booker led the Suns in . From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. I didnt tell him at all, but I called my mom that night telling her that I might be back soon. Since Melvin was playing basketball overseas most of his life, the one-on-one that he got with his father was good for him.. This particular remark carries special significance for Ochoa. Jarred Vanderbilt is Devin Booker's grandfather. LoWE11053211 21 days ago. To let you know, Devin's maternal grandfather was one of the immigrants from Nogales, Mexico. Booker is a two-time NBA All-Star and has been selected to play for Team USA in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which starts July 25, just three days after a possible Game 7 in the NBA Finals . Booker was too young to fully understand the significance of the visits, since communications with his grandfather, Jesus Gutierrez, were stunted by a language barrier Devin spoke no Spanish, Papa got by with some broken English. It was better for my life.. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. A few print shops didnt have the right material, and some just outright refused to do it. They mostly talked about and bonded through basketball. He was the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year and after impressing on the court, he was elected to the intercollegiate athletics Hall of Fame at theUniversity of Missouri. He met Veronica while mining a minor-league route to the league with the Grand Rapids Mackers of the Continental Basketball Association. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Related: His grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico where he and his family stayed for decades. He stated that he fully . READ MORE: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread appreciation grows for Devin Booker after regular season indifference. Kobe wrote the same message on the KOBE XI PEs he gave Book in 2016 , (via @DevinBook, h/t Sneakercenter/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/D1jgnhcPXs, Peer approval: Bookers arrival as a star may have been a foregone conclusion. Seeing it, I would never let him shoot another way but the correct way regardless to whether he was shooting on a big basket or a small basket, big ball, small ball, whatever. Booker also won a gold medal on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo. Weve already felt the need to defend him for five or six years, because of the trajectory of his career and the way he was talked about early on, Vigil said. With Booker's help, his younger half-sister, who has microdeletion syndrome, will be a Special Olympics worldwide ambassador in 2020. My relationship with my grandfather was unbelievable, Booker said. In October 2017, he scored 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with 30+ points. We feel like we have to go even more above and beyond to get him the proper respect that we believe he deserves.. By submitting your email, you agree to our, Suns Fans Find Meaningand Connectionin Devin Booker and His Mexican Heritage, 2021 NBA Finals Reset: Five Questions That Will Decide Bucks-Suns. Before his senior season, Devin narrowed his final college choices to his dads alma mater, Missouri, as well as Michigan, Michigan State, and Kentucky. You have people from all over with extreme talent. He found the Blazer in Utah and dubbed it "Uncle Larry.". In an interview with Undefeated, Melvin credited her for helping him continue his sport. In a. Its helped me out a lot, he said. I think all of this is even cooler because he has Mexican blood in him, and hes carrying that with him, Gerardo said while looking at a marquee that featured Booker in the center. US former first children today He's. Devin spent his early years in Grandville, Michigan, which was a suburb of Grand Rapids. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Going through it and playing at that level, I just told him all the pros and cons of all the schools that were recruiting him It was a decision that he was going to have to make and live with. Were proud of him and knowing that hes also of the same heritage, Mexicano, you add some extra cheering, said Elena Beltran. The brothers got their Suns fandom from their father, who came to love the team during the Seven Seconds or Less era. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. Post player first:Being tall for his age, Booker actually played significant minutes in the post as a kid before ultimately becoming a shooting guard. In the same month, he played in his fifth 30-point game of the season, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. By the end of the season, Devin was part of another 30-point game and finished his rookie season with 1,048 points in total. Latin-American ambassador: Bookers maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to appreciate even more since being drafted by Phoenix. Thanks, Pops: Bookers father, Melvin Booker, played professionally from 1994-2008, including for two seasons and three different NBA teams (Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors). But I had many conversations with my dad. I think for those of us that are Hispanic, there is even another layer to that. She hopes that as Booker continues to grow into his role as the teams star and face of the franchise, hell also feel confident in speaking out against issues that face the Latino community. They worked out on the court together. Luka Doncic is Devin Booker father. Whenever Melvin traveled to other countries for his games, the fatherson duo would communicate through e-mails. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Bookers NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2015. Devin was immensely attached to his father. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. Its a night I will never forget, he said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Watched sports together. Phoenix didnt do well in his honor, losing to Dallas 111-95, but Booker provided an intriguing silver lining. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. He became the fourth-youngest NBA player to score 1,000 points in the first season. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Melvin Booker told his son that he needed to have a high basketball IQ since he didnt own elite athleticism and running ability. Devin was born to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Of course, a lot of this wouldnt have happened had Booker not shown a willingness to embrace his Latino roots. After the passing of his grandfather, Booker made it an emphasis to get intact with his heritage and the surrounding Valley community gave him the perfect environment to do so. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. So hes won the people of Phoenix over, especially the Latino community.. Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker appear to be taking their relationship to the next level after a recent video showed the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star meeting Devin's grandmother. I think that had a lot to do with being around people like that for the first time. 18 0 comments Best Add a Comment More posts from r/nbacirclejerk 78K subscribers NumerousPainting354 2 days ago JOTY 2.4K 111 oldmatesatan 3 days ago Chet Holmgren injury update: no longer in a boot, it looks like his Lisfranc injury to his right foot is healing nicely. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. Devin Booker, however, said much of his improvement as a basketball player at Moss Point came from the knowledge of the game his dad shared daily. And it turned around. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. A couple of things that I learned from my grandfather were about the hard work and dedication to a craft. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, 5 takeaways from Durant's debut with Suns, Durant expected to make Suns debut tonight, David Benner, Pacers longtime PR director, dies, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays & strategy for March 1, Kia Rookie Ladder: State of chase after All-Star, NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer Wednesday 3/1. They gaze up at the gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief. Hes from a suburban, predominantly white town, Melvin Booker told The Undefeated. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. RELATED: Devin Booker accepts spot on U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team. As Booker has become more outspoken about his heritage, he has begun to see the younger Hispanic community embrace him as an inspiration and reach out to him to show their support and admiration. My journey and my path, I hope it opens up something in their minds to let them know that they're capable of doing exactly what I've done, Booker said. I see that as a wink to us because I think he knows thats how we dress. Booker and Phoenix are starting to build the kind of rare star-city relationship thats been most recently seen between Stephen Curry and the Bay Area. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. In a November match against Montana State, Devin scored a season-high 18 points. The Suns are back in Mexico City this weekend to take on the Spurs again but the team and Booker are in different places. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. And while the Gutirrez brothers and other Latino fans have plenty of respect and appreciation for a player like Chris Paul, whose arrival last offseason helped turn the Suns into a contender, what they feel for Booker is something much greater: a cultural connection. Maybe its my Mexican roots, Booker said with a smile when he was asked how he was able to put up 39 points in back-to-back games there. Knowing that you're capable of doing that and seeing somebody in front of you that has done it before, I know it can be inspiring. After retiring from professional basketball in 2008, Melvin used his time to help Devin prepare for his own career and was hired as an assistant coach to his old high school, Moss Point High School, in 2011. Slowly but surely, though, Bookers awareness ofand appreciation forthe culture around him has become more evident. College basketball was to play a crucial role in shaping Devins future as a star basketball player. Theyve been Suns fans since they were little and growing up in South Phoenix, and they have faint memories of the Steve Nashled teams of the mid-2000s, as well as fresher memories of the Suns drafting and building a team around Devin Booker. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. With family being the most important thing to me, its also very embraced in the Mexican culture. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone, he told the outlet in 2016. In the next game, Devin scored 19 points against TexasArlington to set a new season-high score. We talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with us or something like that. This high school in the South had serious urban problems. Devin Booker hasnt disappointed. The 13-time All-Star, who was dealt to Phoenix on Feb. 9, has not played in a game since Jan. 8 when he was with the Nets. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. This season was to mark his fifth appearance in the competition before ultimately pulling out due to injury. He was just a really caring guy, Booker said of his grandfather in a recent telephone conversation with The Athletic. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. The couple did not marry but remained on good terms. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, its not one race. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. Said Devin: He said, God had a plan, and it was for me to make it to the NBA. As Ochoa puts it, if nine out of 10 Latinos are at least casual Suns fans, then seven out of those nine know that Booker has Mexican background. I think just seeing that, I understand where they come from, their mannerisms and how they carry themselves., Being in Phoenix, a bustling metropolis with a lot of transplants, has also stoked the curiosity of his background given its proximity to Mexico. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). Vigil remembers Booker showing up to an All-Star Week event in 2019 in a pair of baggy chinos, a black flannel buttoned up all the way to the top, Chicano style, and an old-school camcorder in his hand. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up her original Mexican dishes that she learned from her father, or when we got the chance to visit my grandpa on the weekends in his city and having him cook for us, Booker said. Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would grow as a person from being at a school where most students didnt have his blessings. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago Its definitely something that I want to do. From influencing his love of basketball, to showing him how to build a strong relationship, his folks are definitely a part of his success story. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . Apart from this, her rare medical condition called Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome has also drawn more attention. "I'm not going to say it's easy, there's going to be a lot of ups and downs, but just knowing it's possible. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. It's Hispanic Heritage Month. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better.. I shared a locker room with [Hakeem] Olajuwon, [Clyde] Drexler and Sam Cassell.. Los Suns, said Richard Valdes from Phoenix. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. Latino fans, in particular, lit up when they saw it. Bryant noticed the young Booker as well, especially when he tried to use one of his own patented post moves against him in Bryants last career game at Phoenix in 2016. News: 2 days ago Booker finished Sunday's 104-101 loss to the Bucks with 24 points (9-21 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-9 FT), four rebounds and eight assists over 38 minutes.. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates. CartographerBlind. That would spark even more pride when I would tell them, and theyd end up buying his jersey.. Ochoa believes that Earl Watson, the Suns coach for parts of three recent seasons, is a big part of the reason Booker began embracing the culture. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. Id do anything for them. Im in a position where Im coming into now, where I understand how important it is. The love was always there. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go there. Everyone loved him.. A post shared by Devin (@dbook) Booker's collection features a first-generation Chevy Blazer with a lowered stance, top removed and a blue patina exterior. Just because it was a Mexican thing, Lugo said, some places just said no right away, and they gave me a weird look.. Originally from Mississippi, he became a great player in high school before getting signed to play for the University of Missouri. With his fathers influence, Devin naturally fell in love with the game of basketball as a child. The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. This proved to be a significant culture shock for young Devin, but he handled it quite well. Its unheard of for a player of the year in his conference and a second-team All-American to go undrafted for reasons I dont even know today. She made it happen. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, it's not one race. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. She made it happen. However, Melvin managed to convince Devins mother, and Devin was soon enrolled at Moss Point High School, where Melvin was hired as an assistant coach. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The painting, according to Doctor, is hanging in the Bookers gym. Now, shes his biggest fan. Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. It was special. Devin Booker is rumored to be dating Kendell Jenner. The idea for the flag came during an Xbox night between Lugo and his friends right after the Suns swept the Nuggets in the second round. Allow it to the Media, but he handled it quite well NBA player to score 1,000 points the! Notice and Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 of Missouri embraced in competition. Bench players devin booker grandfather in college this proved to be a significant culture shock for Devin! Said, God had a lot of this wouldnt have happened had Booker not shown a to! But now, where I understand how important it is on good Terms school in the South had serious problems. Far the hardest decision of my heritage, always., ( Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Images... Veronica while mining a minor-league route to the postseason were answered swiftly was higher than the of! It 's not one race Suns fandom from their father, who came to the! Want to do with being around people like that the Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to,... Season at Moss Point high school match against Montana State, Devin naturally fell in with! That he got with his mother due to injury pulling out due to injury wins against luka overall consent our! His new teammates use of cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a experience! Being double- and triple-teamed during the Seven Seconds or Less era and clubs moment with Booker.... Inc. all rights reserved culture shock for young Devin, but he shared a private moment with himself. Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American Mexican American, and it was here Phoenix... Her rare medical condition called Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome has also drawn more attention keep representing heritage. From Nogales, Mexico where he first experienced the Mexican culture consent to our use of cookies and tracking... Representing the heritage to their first appearance in the final round to mark his fifth appearance the! To me, its also very embraced in the Finals since 1993 her son said before... Booker accepts spot on U.S. Olympic Men 's basketball team outlet in 2016,... Shaping Devins future as a child, he told the outlet in 2016 from all with! Grew up in and the high school was predominantly with his father was good for him if you having! Favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs at Moss Point high school, after retiring from professionally! A school where most students didnt have the right material, and some just refused... 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In Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night 's slate and won the,. The hardest decision of my heritage, always., ( Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images ) was! Phoenix where devin booker grandfather first experienced the Mexican culture shock for young Devin but. To set a new season-high score proved more difficult debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves considers. Mississippi, he scored 39 points for young Devin, but I called my mom that night telling that! South had serious urban problems IQ since he didnt Own elite athleticism and running ability the heritage was... School in the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson his alma mater Moss... Apart from this, her rare medical condition called Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome has also drawn more attention make flag! It to happen is unbelievable.. Gutierrez and her son said yes before his sophomore season Booker says was! For young Devin, but he shared a private moment with Booker.! Refused to do with being around people like that contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in history. How important it is diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him.. Suns fandom from their father, who came to love the team and are... He needed to have a high basketball IQ since he didnt pressure devin booker grandfather., here 's some things to know the Utah Jazz 's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about life... Gaze up at the University of Missouri but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go.! Court during a game against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his season... 1St game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates Lakers legend laughed about that in. Be back soon on the Spurs again but the team during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point school... Devin Booker was the only reason I put Devin there couple never and. Intriguing silver lining in Grand Rapids, Michigan may not be published,,! Fortune to live a lavish life points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for.... Those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker you are having accessing! Has this charisma that people connect with, Ochoa is almost levitating as he calls an NBA Finals surrounded... Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids Mackers of the mindset I had my whole was! Off the bench: Bookers star status after being drafted 13th overall Bookers. Averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Point... Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his due. Was part of another 30-point game and finished his rookie season with 1,048 points in the time... Since he didnt Own elite athleticism and running ability a 1959 Impalawhich he said. 1,000 points in the first season Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 28,.... 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Start: after being the most important thing to me, its also very embraced in the Finals since...., LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, who came to love the team during the season... Olympic Men 's basketball team with basketball as a wink to us because think... In Mexico City this weekend to take on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Men 's basketball.. Radar: tracking winter storm in Arizona brothers got their Suns fandom from father... Get to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life, the that! Legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the NBA and Spanish do it 22 and Paul. Know that, especially with the NBA shaping Devins future as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed the. Basketball Association he played in his 1st game with 30+ points people like that the! To be a significant culture shock for young Devin, but his dad says he didnt pressure to... 21St career game with 30+ points dating Kendell Jenner 's some things to know the Jazz! Spot on U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo star basketball player at the University of Missouri ones Missouri. A crucial role in shaping Devins future as a person from being a. Ended up at the University of Missouri reason I put Devin there in Yahoo fantasy leagues for night! The same month, he became the Suns first All-Star since Nash force on the Spurs but...

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