9. I shared a locker room with [Hakeem] Olajuwon, [Clyde] Drexler and Sam Cassell.. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. Spend some time in Phoenixespecially latelyand that last sentiment rings true. Bookers rise from 18-year-old rookie to two-time All-Star has ushered in a new era for the Suns. But living around it and the culture and getting to see it day to day is a lot better. In February 2017, he scored 31 points against the Milwaukee Bucks and became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in 16 consecutive games. It felt like a neutral game, but by the time we left after the second game, it definitely felt like home, Booker said of the breakout performances that merely set the stage for a 70-point effort the most scored in an NBA game since Kobe Bryants 81 in 2006 in Boston two months later. Doesn't booker have more wins against luka overall? Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. That was the only reason I put Devin there. 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. After Devins birth, they decided that they would both take care of Devin, but he mostly stayed with his mother, as his father remained busy with his international basketball career. Ive been here, putting my head down, grinding, you know, these past five years, trying to get to this point, to at least give them competitive basketball. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. It was tough, Devin Booker said. By Vrushali Padia Published Mar 19, 2022. The following season, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and helped lead the Suns to a franchise record of 64 wins. Devin Booker has Mexican roots, making his stardom even sweeter for the Valley's Latino community. Moss Point wasnt suburban Grand Rapids where Devin grew up. Devin Booker is part Puerto Rican from his mothers side, and this qualifies him to play for the national Puerto Rican team if he desires to do so. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. At just 20 years old, Devin Booker became the youngest NBA player to record a 70-point game. 15 days ago. That was simple enough: Lugo knew he wanted Bookers face on a prayer candle, and a Suns logo with the traditional green, red, and white tricolor design. Booker has said that before he was drafted by Phoenix in 2015, he hadnt really been able to connect with his Mexican roots. Booker was raised by Gutierrez, a cosmetologist, in the predominantly white suburb of Grandville but spent his summers in a poorer, mostly African-American, inner-city setting in Moss Point, Miss., with his father, Melvin. 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. But now, Ochoa is almost levitating as he calls an NBA Finals game surrounded by a deafening crowd. Everywhere we went, everyone knew him. Hes from a suburban, predominantly white town, Melvin Booker told The Undefeated. 204. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. My relationship with my grandfather was unbelievable, Booker said. 3. Even after having a really long playoff run, Devin Booker wasn't . Even so, he did have some lasting memories. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Everyone loved him.. I'm sick of hearing this kind of bullshit misinformation get spread by brainless cretins that, frankly, I'm surprised could even type on their keyboard. It was hard for me to understand then why we couldnt communicate so much. Its not one culture.. 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. They gaze up at the gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief. 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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . She made it happen. I also wanted him to be more of a role model to the kids to show that they could make it out of there. Even then, he still dedicated portions of his post-practice routine to footwork and shot-making on the block. 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. 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. I still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. It means a lot to me. Division I colleges were already pursuing him. Most people have been doing that all their kids life. Booker's traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, its not one race. Devin Booker Personal Life. Devin Booker said most of the communication when his dad was overseas was through e-mail, which was frustratingly sporadic due to the time difference. 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. Other Latinos dream of bringing Booker home for dinner to introduce him to their most favorite Mexican dishes. You have people from all over with extreme talent. 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. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. Booker is aware that representing the Hispanic community in the NBA carries some pressure and is fully embracing the opportunity to prove that with a focused mindset and a strong work ethic, anything is possible no matter what race or nationality. Mac McClung checking his new followers. 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. Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. 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. 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. Devin Booker, 70 points - March 24, 2017. Jesus Gutierrez who went by Jesse, to most was originally from Mexico, growing up in a large family of 15 brothers and sisters in Nuevo Len before later settling in Michigan. 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 collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. So, that's my job.. Broadway_Baller 6 days ago. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . Devin Booker hasnt disappointed. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Bookers NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2015. Booker also won a gold medal on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo. He found a role model in his father and started practicing basketball in school. The only real time with communication I had with him were the two to three months out of the year when I would go down to Mississippi [in the summer]. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? LoWE11053211 21 days ago. Ayton also had 11 rebounds. The player has confronted that culture's strong family ties are the ones he had always embraced and inherited in his life. It was his mother, Veronica Gutierrez's hometown, and his father, Melvin Booker, who played for CBA's Grand Rapids Hoops. We all had an understanding that it would be the best decision for me reaching my dreams. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. The law was eventually partially struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012, but the situation in the state is still contentious. A lot of them, at that point, didnt know that Booker was of Mexican descent, Ochoa said. After having Devin in 1996, she was often the one to. Melvin Booker, his African-American father, played for the Continental Basketball Association Grand Rapids Mackers during the 1995-96 season. Getting the tacos, like for realnot the ones in Michigan, not the ones in Missouri. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. Watson is half-Mexican, from his mothers side, and, according to Ochoa, was always proud of that fact. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. They mostly talked about and bonded through basketball. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves. Watched sports together. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. and people say this sub is not woke enough. First, Lugo commissioned a graphic designer friend to mock up the design. Devin Booker was born to play basketball as his father is a former professional basketball player. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. It's Hispanic Heritage Month. For her to allow it to happen is unbelievable.. To capitalize on his popularity after those performances, Booker worked out deals with Nike and Zucaritas, the Mexican version of Frosted Flakes, to make a few return trips. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. I havent gotten around to it yet, but thats the goal. 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. He believed that his relationship with his son would grow, too, if he finally had him by his side. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. 291. Especially with him embracing it, I mean, it brings us more attention toojust knowing that hes Hispanic and hes not afraid to show it.. 70-point special: On March 24, 2017, Boston led Phoenix by as many as 26 before Booker, 20, surged in the second half, hitting on drives, pull-ups and 3-pointers. 1.4K. 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. 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. Ever since [Devin] was 8 months old, he was coming with me in the summertime. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. During the 1995-96 season with Grand Rapids, the basketball player met a remarkable young woman named Veronica. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. Mya supports her brother during the matches and is an inspiration to Devin. Everyone wants to see a little bit of themselves in the athletes that theyre watching on TV, Vigil said. That was the same night former Suns great and Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash saw his name and likeness enshrined in the franchises Ring of Honor at halftime. PHOENIX Phoenix Suns' number one player Devin Booker is an inspiration to many people, but here in the Valley of the Sun, Booker has added a special moment of pride to the Latino community. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. One fan I encountered just before Game 2 said she researched Bookers heritage after seeing his face, doing a double take, and saying, Esa cara no se ve gringa (That face doesnt look gringa). 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago When I was drafted by Phoenix, I finally got to see the Hispanic culture around me for the first time in my life, Booker said. 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. I think I gained kind of a following there.. His stunning performance in his rookie season earned praises from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. The shooting ability was already there. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. That was what made me. Be Legendary: Booker admired many iconic shooting guards growing up, but Kobe Bryants game and competitive edge hold a special place in his esteem. He made the 2016 NBA all-rookie first team, quickly earned a reputation as one of the NBAs top shooters and is the Suns leading scorer. During a ceremony in October 2013, at the Moss Point High School, Devin announced that he had been chosen by the University of Kentucky.. Fathers Day was the following day, and the representative asked Doctor if he could paint a portrait of Booker and his dad, Melvin, who played basketball at Mizzou. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. The elder Booker was the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year at the University of Missouri and a former professional basketball player. 25. While the first part of his debut season with the Phoenix Suns was above average at best, the second part turned out to be much better. I remember dropping him off at school that day and staying about an hour to make sure he had his classes scheduled correct. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. 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. Booker has also recently started driving old-school cars and lowriders to games. Melvin Booker played in the American minor leagues for the Hartford Hellcats and Pittsburgh Piranhas and had two stints with Grand Rapids. He did eventually make it to the NBA, first playing 11 games for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-96 season. She made it happen. I have a five-year goal thats definitely on there, Booker said. Devin initially refused to go to Mississippi. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. 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. And once he did, Ochoa noticed Booker became more comfortable discussing it publicly, like he did when the Suns played in Mexico City in January 2017. On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. With family being the most important thing to me, its also very embraced in the Mexican culture. Who Is Melvin Booker? Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. 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. Melvin Booker, however, believed that Moss Point High would benefit from his sons presence on and off the court. 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. Bookers former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his maternal grandparents hailing from Mexico. father: Melvin Booker mother: Veronica Gutierrez Basketball Players American Men Height: 6'5" (196 cm ), 6'5" Males Ancestry: Mexican American City: Grand Rapids, Michigan U.S. State: Michigan Notable Alumni: University Of Kentucky More Facts Recommended Lists: American People Tall Celebrities Tall Male Celebrities Male Sportspersons He's just not. Devins performance got better over the years, and his father soon announced that he was contacted by a few NBA teams that were interested to acquire Devin. Welcome to r/nbacirclejerk, where we offer only the most le epic XD discussions on le interwebz :p, Press J to jump to the feed. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his son better, too. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. The undersized point guard was stunned as he went undrafted. She just always talked about his character and how loving he was, and just how he was the backbone of the family.. 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. The ones in downtown Phoenix, those are a little different.. They decided to forgo. I always say Im fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But once I got there, they embraced me, they took me in and I ended up getting more intact with that side of my family also, my dads side, it was a really important time., Looking back, Booker believes the diversity of his upbringing has made him more relatable to people and teammates of different backgrounds. If you just acknowledge it from that perspective, then, then maybe it is OK to make it a bigger deal.. But he said that me being drafted is better than him being drafted.. "Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her. Hence, he became first player in the history of NBA to debut at 18 years of age, with at least one year of college basketball experience. I dont look back on that. 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. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. It instilled more trust in him. Melvin Booker worried that his son might want to go back to Michigan after a bad first day of high school in Mississippi. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 18. 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. In June, sources confirmed the couple had split amid mounting speculation from fans who noticed signs of a breakup. The Suns, including owner Robert Sarver, spoke out against the bill and wore their Los Suns jerseys in solidarity with the community. Media reports claim that while in college, he had had many affairs. Devins mother is Victoria Gutirrez, a Mexican-American who has two other children. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devin's father and grandfather also attended the high school. He was very supportive of everything that I did and still do today. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. 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. 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. I dont know if its because he has Mexican blood, but he has a special charisma that translates without any words being exchanged and translates in his game because he always plays passionately. I fell in love with the city. We talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with us or something like that. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. If you're Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too, Booker said. Since Melvin was playing basketball overseas most of his life, the one-on-one that he got with his father was good for him.. 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. Im around [Latino culture] every day, Booker said the day after winning Game 1 of the Finals. And for those who are fans already, well, its as Ochoa would say, cereza encima del pastel. Cherry on top of the cake. In October 2017, he scored 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with 30+ points. And hes been loyal. Of course, her being my mother, she said, Just let me know when [youre] coming back. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. Did you get extra shots up? He ended up at the fourth spot in the race for the 2016 Rookie of the Year award. Bookerwho grew up near Grand Rapids, Michigan, moved to Mississippi in high school, and played college ball at Kentuckysaid recently that he hadnt been able to fully connect with his Latino heritage until he arrived in Phoenix in 2015, at the age of 18. Were going to see him do and be more involved in our community.. 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. Noticing his immense talent, Melvin tried hard to bring his son back to Mississippi permanently. 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. 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. College basketball was to play a crucial role in shaping Devins future as a star basketball player. I wasnt going to make the decision for him.. 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. The love was always there. It was special. In June 2015, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick. 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. I loved my city, I love my town, but its the typical urban school, Melvin Booker said. I remember him as a little kid and all he talked about is that he wanted to be a professional basketball player, Melvin Booker said. When you ask people around Phoenix when they became aware of Bookers Mexican heritage, everyone has a different answer: the 2017 game the Suns played in Mexico, or the one in 2019; through the video the team put out for National Hispanic Heritage Month last year; or just this past season, as the Suns became one of the best teams in the league and Booker became an even bigger star. To his career if he finally had him by his side 30+ points cultures strong family,. Player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS understanding that it would be drafted 28, 2015 October! To footwork and shot-making on the block a game against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish 21st. Rapids, Michigan in Missouri bit of themselves in the garbage Latino culture ] every day, Booker said for... To two-time All-Star has ushered in a DUI crash Entertainment News playing games... 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