If you’re Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too,’ So, just trying to inspire in that type of way and keep representing the heritage. “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, ‘You’re my favorite player. “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. On multiple occasions he has referenced the culture’s strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. Latin-American ambassador: Booker’s maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to appreciate even more since being drafted by Phoenix. This season was to mark his fifth appearance in the competition before ultimately pulling out due to injury.ĭevin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title.
Booker returned in 2018 and won the contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in the final round. The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns’ first All-Star since Nash.ģ-Point Contest: The league noticed Booker’s shooting stroke immediately and invited its youngest player to participate in the 2016 Three-Point Contest. The then-18-year-old finished the game with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes. Phoenix didn’t do well in his honor, losing to Dallas 111-95, but Booker provided an intriguing silver lining. That was the same night former Suns great and Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash saw his name and likeness enshrined in the franchise’s Ring of Honor at halftime. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Booker’s NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. That didn’t stop him from shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in the Wildcats’ march to the Final Four. The former Kentucky Wildcat didn’t start a single game and averaged just 21.5 minutes in his lone collegiate season. Off the bench: Booker’s star status was built on a bench player’s foundation in college. It has paid off: Booker shot 52.5% and averaged 1.08 points per post-up possessions this season, making him the 10th most efficient player in the league with at least 50 such possessions. Even then, he still dedicated portions of his post-practice routine to footwork and shot-making on the block. 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. One of them shows the elder Booker - then playing for the Golden State Warriors - driving against, you guessed it, the Phoenix Suns. Only two photos of him exist in the league’s Getty/NBAE archives. Thanks, Pops: Booker’s 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). Here’s a look at 10 things to know about Phoenix’s standout guard, his life and his NBA career. 13 overall pick to leading superstar for the Phoenix Suns.
Booker’s rise from 18-year-old rookie to two-time All-Star has ushered in a new era for the Suns.Ī Draft lottery pick in 2015, Devin Booker has elevated himself from No.
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