He is not living through me. and people say this sub is not woke enough. He would say, So you want me to practice for two hours and then you want to do more stuff? I said, Thats what you need to be great. I kind of knew he didnt have an idea, so thats when he came to me.. Its 11 p.m. on the night before Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals, and the space in front of Phoenix Suns Arena is brightly lit. CartographerBlind. 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.. Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. In another January game against the Indiana Pacers, he scored 32 points to become the third-youngest NBA player and the youngest Suns player to score more than 30 points in a game. For sure, Booker said. The Suns cut the deficit to 10 before ultimately falling 130-120, but not before Booker became the youngest player in league history to hit the 70-point mark. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone.. Devin averaged 10 points, shot 41 percent from 3-point range for loaded Kentucky and was named the 2015 Southeastern Conference Sixth Man of the Year. His scoring talent was probably more suited for todays game as his height at his position was held against him. I think for those of us that are Hispanic, there is even another layer to that. 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. You have people from all over with extreme talent. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. 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. Hes learning a lot. NoseBlind2 22 days ago. 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 told Suns.com. Devin ended the season with an average of 22.1 points per game. This sounds so clich, but it really hasnt set in with me. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would be much taller than him. 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. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, it's not one race. 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. While going back to Michigan did get strong consideration, Devin Bookers perseverance not only led to an NBA career but also a close bond with father. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter, Devin Booker Celebrates 'Beautiful' Girlfriend Kendall Jenner On Her 26th Birthday -- Photos, Kendall Jenner Wishes BF & 'Best Friend' Devin Booker A Happy 25th Birthday -- See Cute Photos, Kendall Jenner Feels Attacked By Boyfriend Devin Bookers Pumpkin Carving Diss, Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves, 13 Obscure Sex Acts You Might Not Know About (But May Want to Try), How Black Creators Can Expand Their Network with LinkedIn, General Hospital Spoilers February 27 March 10. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Booker's traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. 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. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns first All-Star since Nash. My Mexican culture has taught me a lot about myself. This is exactly what Lugo was hoping to do when he commissioned the flag: He wanted to represent, and to let other Suns fans know about Bookers heritage. Everyone loved him.. Just because it was a Mexican thing, Lugo said, some places just said no right away, and they gave me a weird look.. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. He found a role model in his father and started practicing basketball in school. My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. Melvin Booker says he turned down an additional contract year with Italys Armani Jeans Milano and retired in 2008, primarily with his son in mind. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. 204. But that was the sacrifice I had to make to provide for him and my family as well., Devin Booker says his father is now one of his best friends.. The then-18-year-old finished the game with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes. She just always talked about his character and how loving he was, and just how he was the backbone of the family.. Get to know the Phoenix Suns' 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. Just around the corner from the Latino Arts and Cultural Center mural in downtown Phoenix stands the actual center, which is a hub of paintings, models, and sculptures displaying different aspects of Latino culture. Valdes says hes a diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him hopeful. Other Latinos dream of bringing Booker home for dinner to introduce him to their most favorite Mexican dishes. 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. Ayton also had 11 rebounds. Lugo, who had draped the flag around his back, was trying to get to his seats in the 200 level, but he kept getting interrupted by people asking to take a picture of the flag. Devin Booker, 70 points - March 24, 2017. 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. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. From 1997-2008, Melvin Booker made a living playing most notably in Italy with stints in Turkey and Russia. 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 . Id do anything for them. Booker has said in the past that this has been much easier for him to do in Phoenix, a city with a population. Slowly but surely, though, Bookers awareness ofand appreciation forthe culture around him has become more evident. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. The Phoenix Suns 2015 first road draft pick Devin Booker poses for a portrait on June 26, 2015 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Spend some time in Phoenixespecially latelyand that last sentiment rings true. After his first day of high school in Mississippi, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker had his dad quite worried that he was going to pack his bags to go back to Michigan. For a mother to just let her son move with a father I didnt spend much time with She raised me most of my life. It was better for my life.. I always say Im fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. Hollywood Life I think the moment everybody found out that I had Mexican in my bloodline, I got on social media and started seeing younger kids of the Hispanic descent reaching out to me and saying, Youre my favorite player. Its definitely something that I want to do. 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. Try a week on us. His grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. 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. Hed play video games with me. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. With his fathers influence, Devin naturally fell in love with the game of basketball as a child. Luka Doncic is Devin Booker father. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. Booker has come to embrace the Mexican side of his family as the support of the Valleys culture has driven him to educate himself more on his familys background and learn more about his lineage. I didnt tell him at all, but I called my mom that night telling her that I might be back soon. 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. 14. r/AnarchyChess. In January 2017, he scored 39 points against both the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. With that, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 39 points in two consecutive games. On November 2, 2014, Devin scored 16 points, playing for his college team, against the University of Pikeville. With that, he began a great college basketball career, which paved the way for his future career in the sport. 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. It was special. Booker, not knowing Spanish, wasnt as comfortable sharing that side of himself until Watson encouraged him to. Davon lives a single life. I have a five-year goal thats definitely on there, Booker said. Devin Booker got "Be Legendary" tatted on him. The 24-year-old Lugo had the one of the most coveted pieces of memorabilia in the house: a custom-made Mexican flag with a Suns logo in place of the shield, and Bookers face plastered on a prayer candle. The split came as a surprise to many considering Devin's attendance at Kourtney Kardashian's wedding to Travis Barker. 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. Sometimes I would call and ask him, What did you do after practice? I have a very traditional tight Mexican family on my fathers side, but Devins life has pretty much been on the go with school, b-ball and summers in Mississippi. Devin quickly became a very good shooter and continued to grow to 6-foot-6. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. The couple did not marry but remained on good terms. He was always shooting with correct form.. Also, being the support for your family and being the backbone of your family and how important that is.. But living around it and the culture and getting to see it day to day is a lot better. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. When Booker was 20, Kevin Durant said on The Bill Simmons Podcast that he wanted the Thunder to draft Booker in 2015. He spent the summers with his father in the latters hometown of Moss Point, Mississippi, a predominantly black town with around 13,000 people that also had its share of crime and poverty issues. Learn more about the Hall of Fame career of the legendary point guard. I also wanted him to be more of a role model to the kids to show that they could make it out of there. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would grow as a person from being at a school where most students didn't have his blessings. Bookers grandfather immigrated from Nogales, Mexico, to Michigan where the 2020 All-Star ultimately grew up. So I think with the team that we have, the culture that we have, that coach Monty has put together, this is the best position that weve been in since Ive been here, to make those dreams and aspirations come to life. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. Please enter a valid email and try again. US former first children today He's. He believed that his relationship with his son would grow, too, if he finally had him by his side. Im in the middle of it right now, Im not trying to get too excited but playing competitive basketball is something thats keeping me going right now., Gutierrez doesnt want Booker to feel any pressure to do any more than he already is. I was with my family back home. The respect I received from my family and everyone in the city made me want to stay. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. Only two photos of him exist in the leagues Getty/NBAE archives. He wanted his son to join him to not only grow as a basketball player, but as a young man in Mississippi and learn a better work ethic. Vigil said he didnt think that the uniforms felt like pandering; rather, it was finally merchandise that represented the largest demographic in Phoenix. Imagine the pride of having your team have a guy score 40 points in a playoff game, and he has Latino blood? 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. Gerardo was at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport two weeks ago when the team returned from Los Angeles after clinching a Finals berth, and he recalls fans chanting Si se puede (Yes, we can) as the players walked through. It instilled more trust in him. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. For her to allow it to happen is unbelievable.. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. Devin, a three-time NBA All-Star, is a professional . 15 days ago. 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. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. He made his professional NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his 19th birthday. That Hispanic culture is seen both in the stands and throughout the fan base, but what many might not know, is that the Suns also represent Hispanic heritage on the court. He became the fourth-youngest NBA player to score 1,000 points in the first season. Before his senior season, Devin narrowed his final college choices to his dads alma mater, Missouri, as well as Michigan, Michigan State, and Kentucky. After having Devin in 1996, she was often the one to spend time with him when Melvin traveled in different countries for his professional basketball career. Noting Bookers Mexican heritage is part of thatbut its also a responsibility Ochoa feels on a personal level. Phoenix didnt do well in his honor, losing to Dallas 111-95, but Booker provided an intriguing silver lining. He stated that he fully . Mya supports her brother during the matches and is an inspiration to Devin. I havent gotten around to it yet, but thats the goal. Even after having a really long playoff run, Devin Booker wasn't . She reportedly worked as a cosmetologist and already had a son named Davon Wade when she met Devins father in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Everything we did was competitive, Devin Booker said. 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. A native of Cananea, Sonora, a city four and a half hours south of Phoenix in Mexico, Ochoa has been calling Suns games since 2004. Devin Booker was born on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. RELATED: Devin Booker accepts spot on U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team. Get to know them better here. 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. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his son better, too. They gaze up at the gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . While in high school, Devin exhibited his remarkable sporting talent. And many other local fans feel similarly. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. Devin Booker hasnt disappointed. As Booker has embraced his Latino side, those whove long followed his career have seen incremental changes to everything from the way he dresses to what he drivesmuch of which seems to be a hat tip to this culture. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. The Suns wear Noches neBA Nike City Edition uniforms with Los Suns across the chest and Somos PHX near the size tag at the bottom of the jersey. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. I guess he has 2 dads. His grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico where he and his family stayed for decades. Booker has also recently started driving old-school cars and lowriders to games. The Suns, including owner Robert Sarver, spoke out against the bill and wore their Los Suns jerseys in solidarity with the community. With mom and dad by his side, Devin chose Kentucky in the blue chip recruiting class that also included current NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles and Tyler Ulis. Matches and is an inspiration to Devin Booker, not knowing Spanish, wasnt as comfortable sharing side! 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