In an interview with Undefeated, Melvin credited her for helping him continue his sport. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. In a downtown Phoenix alley, sandwiched between two streets named after U.S. presidents, stands a snapshot of the citys Latino culture. It ended up being one of the best decisions Ive ever made. 3-Point Contest: The league noticed Bookers shooting stroke immediately and invited its youngest player to participate in the 2016 Three-Point Contest. Said Devin: He said, God had a plan, and it was for me to make it to the NBA. 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 city I grew up in and the high school was predominantly black. I shared a locker room with [Hakeem] Olajuwon, [Clyde] Drexler and Sam Cassell.. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. It was all his decision, Melvin Booker said. 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. 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. And many other local fans feel similarly. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Booker had never visited his grandfathers 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 guard torched the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs for back-to-back 39-point games. Gutierrez and her son said yes before his sophomore season. He averaged 13.8 points per game. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. But Melvin Booker said the relationship and bond grew so much closer during his sons three years at Moss Point. 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. Id do anything for them. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin Booker said. Were proud of him and knowing that hes also of the same heritage, Mexicano, you add some extra cheering, said Elena Beltran. lxkandel06 22 days ago. 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. 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. RELATED: Devin Booker wins season-long NBA Community Assist Award for local outreach, I knew that he was going to take us far.. Davon is the eldest brother of an American basketball player Devin Booker who plays for Phoenix Suns. Booker has said in the past that this has been much easier for him to do in Phoenix, a city with a population. Other Latinos dream of bringing Booker home for dinner to introduce him to their most favorite Mexican dishes. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. Those weekend visits growing up came flashing back to Booker two years ago, when his grandfather passed away. 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 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. It instilled more trust in him. He always helped my mom out when she was in need, which was really important for me. Latino fans, in particular, lit up when they saw it. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. 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 I was a kid, I was always on the go, either outside playing basketball or something, so when it was time when my mom wanted to go to the other side of Michigan to hang with my Mexican side of the family, it wasnt really a priority for me. 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. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? Luka Doncic's father, Devin Booker's grandfather, attended his first Mavericks game tonight . The 1994 Big Eight Conference Player of the Year averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 assists and two 3-pointers per game during his senior season. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. It brought tears to my eyes. Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. Booker is the son of Veronica Gutierrez and Melvin Booker. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. 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. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. 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. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Watson is half-Mexican, from his mothers side, and, according to Ochoa, was always proud of that fact. 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. 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.. The shooting ability was already there. 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. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. Devin Booker Personal Life. Its very surreal. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Suns just in general, the whole Valley is behind the Suns, said Beltran. These fans might have not been at the game, but that didnt mean they couldnt keep the party going after. I gave it some time. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his . Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. The more Booker researched his Hispanic background, the more he saw the similarities between his own ideals and the Mexican heritage within his bloodline. 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.. Im in a position where Im coming into now, where I understand how important it is. Los Suns, said Richard Valdes from Phoenix. Devin quickly became a very good shooter and continued to grow to 6-foot-6. His scoring talent was probably more suited for todays game as his height at his position was held against him. Isael Lugo didnt get 20 feet inside Phoenix Suns Arena before he was stopped last week. College basketball was to play a crucial role in shaping Devins future as a star basketball player. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. Getting the tacos, like for realnot the ones in Michigan, not the ones in Missouri. Bookers rise from 18-year-old rookie to two-time All-Star has ushered in a new era for the Suns. It took a lot of persuading for former NBA player Melvin Booker to get his son to move to Mississippi away from his mom to best aid his hoop dream. So good, it should come with a spoiler alert. No longer a pushover or punchline, Phoenix is showing a punchers chance under new coach Monty Williams most nights and is in the playoff hunt despite missing 2018 No. US former first children today He's. 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. Gutierrez allowed Booker, then 12, to visit his father one spring break in Milan, where the son played one-on-one with a future pro in Danilo Gallinari and showed the potential of being a special player. But it was also quite challenging to build a relationship with his son from afar despite a couple of visits overseas. His dad couldnt be prouder. Get to know the Utah Jazz's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. Except this one is not based on just loyalty and winning, but also heritage. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. 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. I think thats why he is eager to learn more now.. Huh, I thought Gary Trent was Luka Doncic father. She just always talked about his character and how loving he was, and just how he was the backbone of the family.. The avid Suns fan attended the game at Footprint Center and met Suns All-Star Devin Booker 30 minutes before tip. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would be much taller than him. 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. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. After having Devin in 1996, she was often the one to. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/devin-booker-37685.php. 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. Originally from Mississippi, he became a great player in high school before getting signed to play for the University of Missouri. That rose to 34 percent in the 2000s, and by 2018, that number had jumped to 43 percent, making Latinos the largest demographic in the Phoenix area. Its definitely something that I want to do. The then-18-year-old finished the game with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes. Who Is Melvin Booker? I was with the Rockets for the minute. I dont look back on that. 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. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. 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. It was special. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . Their goal was to have it ready for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, but getting it made wasnt easy. Of course, a lot of this wouldnt have happened had Booker not shown a willingness to embrace his Latino roots. A lot of them, at that point, didnt know that Booker was of Mexican descent, Ochoa said. 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. 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. Melvin Booker averaged 28 points as a senior at Moss Point High and signed with the University of Missouri. 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago In October 2017, he scored 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with 30+ points. Who are Devin Booker's parents? 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. The brothers got their Suns fandom from their father, who came to love the team during the Seven Seconds or Less era. At just 20 years old, Devin Booker became the youngest NBA player to record a 70-point game. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. "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. Melvin is African-American and Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American. Latin-American ambassador: Booker's maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to. Devin and Mya have become very close over the years and hes often seen sharing sweet moments with her. But now, Ochoa is almost levitating as he calls an NBA Finals game surrounded by a deafening crowd. With Booker's help, his younger half-sister, who has microdeletion syndrome, will be a Special Olympics worldwide ambassador in 2020. 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. Ayton also had 11 rebounds. 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 It wasnt an easy move for a teenager who only knew suburban life to switch to an urban environment at a high school where his dad was a star. 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. Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 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. 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