I dont think a lot of people understand how somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. 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. She made it happen. Its helped me out a lot, he said. Devin Booker said he owes his mom the world for allowing him to depart to Mississippi and primarily raising him beforehand. 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. But getting to the age that Im at now, understanding how important that is, thats a part of me, something that Im growing to realize. Booker, not knowing Spanish, wasnt as comfortable sharing that side of himself until Watson encouraged him to. Booker is now able to reflect on some of his most memorable moments growing up, many of which share close Mexican ties with his family. After the passing of his grandfather, Booker made it an emphasis to get intact. Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. Get to know the Phoenix Suns' young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. That meeting included a gift: a pair of signature shoes on which Bryant had written Be legendary.Booker has since gotten the phrase tattooed on his arm, and admitted his idol was very much on his mind when he scored 47 points in Game 6 to eliminate Bryants former team in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. If youre 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. Bookers former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his maternal grandparents hailing from Mexico. Gerardo can rattle off facts about Booker like hes a walking Wikipedia page: Bookers mom is Mexican American, and his grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, a town near the Texas border. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his son better, too. Booker has said in the past that this has been much easier for him to do in Phoenix, a city with a population. 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. But he said that me being drafted is better than him being drafted.. Bookers rise from 18-year-old rookie to two-time All-Star has ushered in a new era for the Suns. 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. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. The painting, according to Doctor, is hanging in the Bookers gym. Although Veronica would stay with Devin while Melvin traveled to Europe and Asia for games, he would bring Devin to the court in the summers, further peaking his interest in the sport. I always say Im fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. Bookers grandfather immigrated from Nogales, Mexico, to Michigan where the 2020 All-Star ultimately grew up. They worked out on the court together. Im in a position where Im coming into now, where I understand how important it is. Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. 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. Jarred Vanderbilt is Devin Booker's grandfather. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. 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. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. Its something thats not too late to learn because, at the end of the day, this is what makes up me, said Booker. 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. The Suns are back in Mexico City this weekend to take on the Spurs again but the team and Booker are in different places. Did you get extra shots up? The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. 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. In a. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. He convinced Gutierrez and Devin on a move to Mississippi before his sophomore year in high school so that he could be trained and prepared to play at a big-time college. 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. I dont look back on that. 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. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. Middleton found Lopez for the go-ahead basket with 24.8 seconds remaining. The Godfather game for PS3 @NikeMcDonalds . He is the only child of former professional basketball star Melvin Booker, who is Devin's father. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads. 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. 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. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The former Kentucky Wildcat didnt start a single game and averaged just 21.5 minutes in his lone collegiate season. In 2010, Arizona passed the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, which allowed police officers to detain people based on profiling their appearance. 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. I gave it some time. Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her father or when we got the chance to visit my grandpa on the weekend.. It was his mother, Veronica Gutierrez's hometown, and his father, Melvin Booker, who played for CBA's Grand Rapids Hoops. His dad couldnt be prouder. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . 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.. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. Devin initially refused to go to Mississippi. Originally from Mississippi, he became a great player in high school before getting signed to play for the University of Missouri. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . He's a former NBA player himself, born on August 20, 1972, and is the reason Devin is the star he is today. Booker has also recently started driving old-school cars and lowriders to games. Noticing his immense talent, Melvin tried hard to bring his son back to Mississippi permanently. Now, with Booker on the team, they have something even more singular to cheer for: an NBA superstar who, at least in one way, is actually like them. . Music booms through two speakers as a DJ and a hype man practice their lines, but the area is virtually deserted. So, that's my job.. As of early 2021, Davon has an estimated net worth of around $500 thousand. 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. Gerardo can rattle off facts about Booker like he's a walking Wikipedia page: Booker's mom is Mexican American, and his grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, a town near the Texas. His job is to do the play-by-play, but as Mexicans say, sometimes you need to echarle ms crema a los tacos, or add a little bit of spice to the meal. 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. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. Devin Booker scored a franchise-record and NBA season-high 70 points on March 24, 2017. You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? I felt like and thought I would be drafted. 3. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. He always helped my mom out when she was in need, which was really important for me. The player has confronted that culture's strong family ties are the ones he had always embraced and inherited in his life. From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. It's not one culture. He did eventually make it to the NBA, first playing 11 games for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-96 season. 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. Before his senior season, Devin narrowed his final college choices to his dads alma mater, Missouri, as well as Michigan, Michigan State, and Kentucky. Who the f is this guy lmao. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Whenever Melvin traveled to other countries for his games, the fatherson duo would communicate through e-mails. 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. 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. So good, it should come with a spoiler alert. Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. 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. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. 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. 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. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. This particular remark carries special significance for Ochoa. Devins mother is Victoria Gutirrez, a Mexican-American who has two other children. I had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. Its a night I will never forget, he said. 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. Devin Booker #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 28, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. Get to know the Utah Jazz's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Hes from a suburban, predominantly white town, Melvin Booker told The Undefeated. Devin visited his father during his summer holidays, in Moss Point, Mississippi, a place that had a significant black population. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. Hes learning a lot. 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. To let you know, Devin's maternal grandfather was one of the immigrants from Nogales, Mexico. Devin Booker may be known as a professional basketball player, but it turns out his parents, Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez, also have impressive careers. Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. LoWE11053211 21 days ago. Devin Booker was born to play basketball as his father is a former professional basketball player. Booker was always aware of his Mexican heritage but never felt a strong desire to delve into that side of his background until he lost his Papa. 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. Devin Booker 2015-16 Panini Complete Rookie RC #296 Phoenix Suns Pre-Owned $20.00 Seller: matts_cardz (12,281) 100% Buy It Now +$4.95 shipping Sponsored 2015-16 Panini Gold Standard DEVIN BOOKER RC Jersey /149 BGS 9 w/ 10 AUTO RPA $349.95 Seller: meets2 (955) 99.6% or Best Offer +$3.95 shipping Authenticity Guarantee 13 watchers Sponsored I didnt tell him at all, but I called my mom that night telling her that I might be back soon. I was with my family back home. He is not living through me. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. This is a good life here in the NBA. If youre lucky, you might see one of the artists working on a piece when you visit. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. 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]. Thats how one of Bookers representatives saw Piersten Doctor, a Navajo painter, working on a portrait of Booker last month. 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. He stated that he fully . He also taught his son some tricks of the trade he developed on the pro level. His maternal grandfather hails from Mexico. The lack of representation within the league has encouraged Booker to carry the mantle for people of Mexican heritage. I still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. We feel like we have to go even more above and beyond to get him the proper respect that we believe he deserves.. Did you get to the weight room?, He didnt understand. Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. 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). 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. lxkandel06 22 days ago. 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 think when youre young, you dont really understand it that much. Even so, he did have some lasting memories. 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. Booker had never visited his grandfather's country until his job with the Phoenix Suns took him to Mexico City for two games in January 2017, where the then-unheralded second-year shooting. 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. The son of former basketball player Melvin Booker, [3] Devin is a three-time NBA All-Star and helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals 2021. 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. 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. From his seat inside a suite at Phoenix Suns Arena, Arturo Ochoa can barely hear himself think. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devins father and grandfather also attended the high school. 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. Just because it was a Mexican thing, Lugo said, some places just said no right away, and they gave me a weird look.. Dad was also an assistant coach on his sons high school and AAU team. But I had many conversations with my dad. Playing in Russia with the time difference it would be 3 in the morning there and the middle of the day for us. When Booker was 20, Kevin Durant said on The Bill Simmons Podcast that he wanted the Thunder to draft Booker in 2015. It was better for my life.. She reportedly worked as a cosmetologist and already had a son named Davon Wade when she met Devin's father in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Devin certainly considered it, but didnt give up and it eventually worked out very well. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The lowrider car is one of the fixtures of Chicano culture, having originated in East Los Angeles in the 1940s, and on the night Phoenix went up 2-0, a mini caravan of those cars driven by Suns fans paraded down 2nd Street, honking and playing Spanish language music. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. Of course, her being my mother, she said, Just let me know when [youre] coming back. Were proud of him and knowing that hes also of the same heritage, Mexicano, you add some extra cheering, said Elena Beltran. Booker 's parents met while father Melvin played semi-professional basketball for the local. Even then, he still dedicated portions of his post-practice routine to footwork and shot-making on the block. Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. In April 2015, Devin decided to let go of the remaining years of college and signed up for the NBA draft. Melvin Booker, however, believed that Moss Point High would benefit from his sons presence on and off the court. Davon lives a single life. 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. Like Devin, Melvin spent many years as a professional basketball player. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. In a downtown Phoenix alley, sandwiched between two streets named after U.S. presidents, stands a snapshot of the citys Latino culture. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. 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). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. His completed his first season at the university with an average of 10 points and was sure about earning a respectable place in the NBA draft which was just around the corner. That made me want to learn about myself much more honestly because I just hadn't been around. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone.. Most people have been doing that all their kids life. Ayton also had 11 rebounds. 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. Watson is half-Mexican, from his mothers side, and, according to Ochoa, was always proud of that fact. It instilled more trust in him. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Macias has seen Mexican-influenced murals of Booker and the Suns pop up around the city, including one the Suns commissioned with Los Suns jerseys and players painted as Dia de los Muertosstyle skeletons. 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. 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. They decided to forgo. Sometimes I would go up to [Michigan] to watch him. 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. 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. Im around [Latino culture] every day, Booker said the day after winning Game 1 of the Finals. Now shes a diehard fan who makes a point to go to the players entrance before every game to welcome the team. 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. 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. 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. Try a week on us. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. Watched sports together. Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. I think its a combination of growing older and being exposed to more culture, Gutierrez wrote. 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. 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. Melvin Booker gave strong credit to Gutierrez for doing a great job of keeping me connected while he was playing professional basketball and allowing him to get off-season time with his only child. Star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns and led them their! How somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised Hawks star taught his son better, too leading offensive force the... Enough to live around it, see it around the city was dominated by its population! 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