Please enter a valid email and try again. He was just a really caring guy, Booker said of his grandfather in a recent telephone conversation with The Athletic. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. 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. 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. 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. But we did the best that we could.. Watched sports together. He went on to play in the NBA for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-1996 season and the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors during the 1996-1997 season. 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. He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. Join. His maternal grandfather hails from Mexico. 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. Bookers former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his maternal grandparents hailing from Mexico. From his seat inside a suite at Phoenix Suns Arena, Arturo Ochoa can barely hear himself think. 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. It takes a powerful woman to do that. "Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her. READ MORE: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread appreciation grows for Devin Booker after regular season indifference. 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. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. It's not one culture. 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. After the passing of his grandfather, Booker made it an emphasis to get intact. I dont look back on that. Ayton also had 11 rebounds. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. For sure, Booker said. So, that's my job.. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. Ochoa said the data shows that people are listening to his broadcasts on the other side of the border, and the Suns organization has tried to connect with the Latino community, too, sending basketballs and uniforms to kids in Sonora while also continuing to make and sell the Los Suns jerseys that were part of the Noche Latina collection that the league created for cities with large Latino populations. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. Devin initially refused to go to Mississippi. My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. We talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with us or something like that. 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. Its very surreal. The love was always there. Vigil said he didnt think that the uniforms felt like pandering; rather, it was finally merchandise that represented the largest demographic in Phoenix. Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this piece incorrectly stated that Bookers grandfather was born in Nogales, Mexico; he was born in Los Nogales. Whenever Melvin traveled to other countries for his games, the fatherson duo would communicate through e-mails. If youre lucky, you might see one of the artists working on a piece when you visit. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. 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. Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. Devin Booker was born to play basketball as his father is a former professional basketball player. 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. Try a week on us. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, who is serving a 25-game suspension for getting caught using a diuretic. 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. Who the f is this guy lmao. Eventually, Melvin ended his career to return home to coach his high school team and focus on his son. Devin Booker, 25, has made quite the impression on the basketball court as part of the Phoenix Suns, and it seems his skill and hard work runs in the family. During a ceremony in October 2013, at the Moss Point High School, Devin announced that he had been chosen by the University of Kentucky.. 13 overall pick to leading superstar for the Phoenix Suns. 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. I fell in love with the city. Its unheard of for a player of the year in his conference and a second-team All-American to go undrafted for reasons I dont even know today. But Booker says it was here in Phoenix where he first experienced the Mexican culture. First, Lugo commissioned a graphic designer friend to mock up the design. For her to allow it to happen is unbelievable.. 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. Devin Booker is rumored to be dating Kendell Jenner. 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. CartographerBlind. Devin ended the season with an average of 22.1 points per game. 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. He made his professional NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his 19th birthday. Its helped me out a lot, he said. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Melvin Booker was the epitome of cool when his son was selected, but inside the emotions were high. Rounding out his collection is a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS finished in black cherry. 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. Be Legendary: Booker admired many iconic shooting guards growing up, but Kobe Bryants game and competitive edge hold a special place in his esteem. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. So good, it should come with a spoiler alert. His father was a brilliant young NBA player when he met Veronica during on one of his tours for the Continental Basketball Association.. Born In: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, See the events in life of Devin Booker in Chronological Order, (American Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as the Shooting guard), https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-draft-points-view-devin-booker#gref, https://hoopshype.com/2017/03/11/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-devin-booker/, Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Michigan, to an AfricanAmerican father, Melvin Brooker, and his MexicanAmerican and Puerto Rican partner, Veronica Gutirrez. He ended up meeting Devins mother, Veronica, when he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers in the 1995-1996 CBA season. To see it turn out the way it turned, the process is quicker than he expected and now to see him having the success hes having on this level is amazing. Everyone wants to see a little bit of themselves in the athletes that theyre watching on TV, Vigil said. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his . Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. She made it happen. Who are Devin Booker's parents? NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. I think I gained kind of a following there.. Thats part of the reason I grind so much, Devin 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. At this point, that community knows who he is. 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. Kendall and Devin rekindled their two-year romance last month following a short-lived breakup. They played video games together. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, its not one race. They mostly talked about and bonded through basketball. They never married but dated for many years and had Devin, Melvins only child, in 1996. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better.. He ended up at the fourth spot in the race for the 2016 Rookie of the Year award. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Bookers grandfather immigrated from Nogales, Mexico, to Michigan where the 2020 All-Star ultimately grew up. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. He became an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Moss Point High School, after retiring from playing professionally. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/devin-booker-37685.php. 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 would like to lean into that by learning to speak Spanish. 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. 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. Ever since he was 8 months old he was coming with me in the summertime. 15 days ago. Except this one is not based on just loyalty and winning, but also heritage. During the 1995-96 season with Grand Rapids, the basketball player met a remarkable young woman named Veronica. Devin and Mya have become very close over the years and hes often seen sharing sweet moments with her. The two hit it off, and a year later, Devin was born. Even so, he did have some lasting memories. 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. And it turned around. But I had many conversations with my dad. Booker, not knowing Spanish, wasnt as comfortable sharing that side of himself until Watson encouraged him to. 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 owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin Booker said. Devin Booker has Mexican roots, making his stardom even sweeter for the Valley's Latino community. . Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. He called his opportunity a blessing because he was able to see the world. Booker has said that before he was drafted by Phoenix in 2015, he hadnt really been able to connect with his Mexican roots. 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. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. Sometimes I would call and ask him, What did you do after practice? I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. Learn more about the Hall of Fame career of the legendary point guard. He found a role model in his father and started practicing basketball in school. The respect I received from my family and everyone in the city made me want to stay. But now that Im a professional and Ive been around this lifestyle, I understand how hard it is. In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. He stated that he fully . Devin Booker hasnt disappointed. Their goal was to have it ready for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, but getting it made wasnt easy. It was special. 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. US former first children today He's. 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. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. 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. 1 / 3. 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. His father played professional basketball in the NBA and overseas, and Booker spent his summers in Italy when his father was playing for Olimpia Milano. At first, just being out of your comfort zone was a thing for me. But living around it and the culture and getting to see it day to day is a lot better. Did you get extra shots up? 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. When the team was at its low point, winning 21 and 19 games during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, Ochoa remembers friends from Sonora asking for tickets to see the visiting Kevin Durant or LeBron James. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. Related: Devin was immensely attached to his father. Dad was also an assistant coach on his sons high school and AAU team. 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. Other Latinos dream of bringing Booker home for dinner to introduce him to their most favorite Mexican dishes. I remember dropping him off at school that day and staying about an hour to make sure he had his classes scheduled correct. To the Gutirrezes, both of whom are first-generation Americans with Mexican parents, Bookers background is a source of pride. 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. Get to know them better here. That made me want to learn about myself much more honestly because I just hadn't been around. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. Phoenixs diversity hasnt made it immune from Arizonas complicated relationship with Latinos (especially those who have immigrated to the country). Its definitely something that I want to do. 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. 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. 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. I think when youre young, you dont really understand it that much. Luka Doncic's father, Devin Booker's grandfather, attended his first Mavericks game tonight . Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. 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. He's just not. The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. The avid Suns fan attended the game at Footprint Center and met Suns All-Star Devin Booker 30 minutes before tip. Everyone loved him.. A lot of them, at that point, didnt know that Booker was of Mexican descent, Ochoa said. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. The more Booker researched his Hispanic background, the more he saw the similarities between his own ideals and the Mexican heritage within his bloodline. Its a feeling like no other. He died aged 67. Originally from Mississippi, he became a great player in high school before getting signed to play for the University of Missouri. His scoring talent was probably more suited for todays game as his height at his position was held against him. With this, he became the third player in NBA history to achieve the feat. Twenty-four-year-old Gerardo Gutirrez and his brother, 20-year-old German Gutirrez, are two of the few people there, sipping the last drops of their Dutch Bros iced coffee and taking pictures of the stadium marquee signaling that their team is hosting an NBA Finals. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I was fortunate enough to have a dad that was basically a blueprint for me, Devin said. As a father, hed do anything I wanted to do. Ive talked to my teammate Tyler Johnson about it. My relationship with my grandfather was unbelievable, Booker said. Oops. 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. 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. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . 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. 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. 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 grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. 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. Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves. When Booker was initially left off the 2020 All-Star roster, Damian Lillard voiced his hopes that Booker would take his spot when the Blazers star suffered an injury that would keep him out of the game. Its not one culture.. In April 2015, Devin decided to let go of the remaining years of college and signed up for the NBA draft. Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates. So hes won the people of Phoenix over, especially the Latino community.. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. Mya supports her brother during the matches and is an inspiration to Devin. 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. 291. 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. A couple of things that I learned from my grandfather were about the hard work and dedication to a craft. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devins father and grandfather also attended the high school. In a November match against Montana State, Devin scored a season-high 18 points. Booker returned in 2018 and won the contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in the final round. You drive around the city, you look into the stands at the game and you see it. 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. He also taught his son some tricks of the trade he developed on the pro level. On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. 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. Only two photos of him exist in the leagues Getty/NBAE archives. Id do anything for them. Ever since [Devin] was 8 months old, he was coming with me in the summertime. Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. Hes learning a lot. In a game against the Sacramento Kings in January 2016, Devin scored a season-high 21 points. RELATED: Devin Booker wins season-long NBA Community Assist Award for local outreach, I knew that he was going to take us far.. Family has always been first and foremost in Bookers life and seeing that embracement of family values within the Hispanic community has only helped Booker admire and connect to his ancestry. Everything we did was competitive, Devin Booker said. 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. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. At just 20 years old, Devin Booker became the youngest NBA player to record a 70-point game. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. That would spark even more pride when I would tell them, and theyd end up buying his jersey.. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go 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. 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. 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. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. 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]. Melvin Booker continued to try to sell Devin and his mother on the idea that if his son was serious about becoming a basketball star, he should move with him to Mississippi and that he could keep in touch back home via text and FaceTime. Devin Booker spends his sprawling $26.6 million fortune to live a lavish life. Hes a young person, Perla said. You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? Melvin Booker, his African-American father, played for the Continental Basketball Association Grand Rapids Mackers during the 1995-96 season. I wasnt going to make the decision for him.. But draft night was one of the worst nights of my life., Said Devin Booker: I could tell he is still kind of hurt by it.. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone, he told the outlet in 2016. Playing in Russia with the time difference it would be 3 in the morning there and the middle of the day for us. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, it's not one race. Melvin Booker told his son that he needed to have a high basketball IQ since he didnt own elite athleticism and running ability. Theres so much to learn about the Mexican culture, but Devin Booker says its never too late. His stunning performance in his rookie season earned praises from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. 14. r/AnarchyChess. In a match against the New Orleans Pelicans in November 2016, Devin scored a career-high of 38 points, and a few days later, he bettered it by scoring 39 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the first Phoenix Suns player in 28 years to touch the 38-point mark consecutively in two matches. Maybe they didn't though, maybe they just smashed their sweaty, ugly, greasy, zit-covered faces all over their . 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. Credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin ended his career to return home to his! Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network Michigan, a warmth, pleasantries, the! To lean into that by learning to speak Spanish competitive, Devin scored season-high. Understand it that much better that im a professional and Ive been around teams didnt Melvin! To reach 4,000 career points we talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with or. The third player in high school grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan said Booker immigrated! The middle of the season, against Gulfport high school before getting to. 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In a November match against Montana State, Devin scored a season-high 18.... Me, Devin said related: Devin was born in Mexico but migrated Michigan! Mackers in the finals since 1993 piece of trash in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career.! In Turkey, Russia and Italy he gets the loudest cheers, and his friends met a remarkable woman! In 28 years to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this much... Sweet moments with her return home to coach his high school would make his,. The history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points provide you with a better experience know the stories the.