In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. 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. 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. He believed that his relationship with his son would grow, too, if he finally had him by his side. Davon Wade works as a realtor at Linehan Real Estate. 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. The former Kentucky Wildcat didnt start a single game and averaged just 21.5 minutes in his lone collegiate season. But we did the best that we could.. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. Im around [Latino culture] every day, Booker said the day after winning Game 1 of the Finals. I think when youre young, you dont really understand it that much. 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. Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. Thats changed after his years in the cityas has the place he holds in many Latino Suns fans hearts. Of course, a lot of this wouldnt have happened had Booker not shown a willingness to embrace his Latino roots. Please enter a valid email and try again. Most of the time with breaking records and such, he leaves me speechless, she wrote. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, and he has referenced his strong ties to his family and Mexican culture on multiple occasions. The Godfather game for PS3 @NikeMcDonalds . Those were the most enjoyable moments - just sitting down, family time and enjoying some really good food.. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. She made it happen. 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. Finding a place that was willing to make the flag, however, proved more difficult. NoseBlind2 22 days ago. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would grow as a person from being at a school where most students didnt have his blessings. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. I was fortunate enough to have a dad that was basically a blueprint for me, Devin said. He found a role model in his father and started practicing basketball in school. Everyone loved him.. The city I grew up in and the high school was predominantly black. Jarred Vanderbilt is Devin Booker's grandfather. 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. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. He was always shooting with correct form.. My Mexican culture has taught me a lot about myself. He is the only child of former professional basketball star Melvin Booker, who is Devin's father. Who Is Melvin Booker? His scoring talent was probably more suited for todays game as his height at his position was held against him. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. 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. Be Legendary: Booker admired many iconic shooting guards growing up, but Kobe Bryants game and competitive edge hold a special place in his esteem. This proved to be a significant culture shock for young Devin, but he handled it quite well. From his seat inside a suite at Phoenix Suns Arena, Arturo Ochoa can barely hear himself think. 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. That didnt stop him from shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in the Wildcats march to the Final Four. 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. One of them shows the elder Booker then playing for the Golden State Warriors driving against, you guessed it, the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. 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. In a game against the Sacramento Kings in January 2016, Devin scored a season-high 21 points. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. I had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. A few print shops didnt have the right material, and some just outright refused to do it. After averaging at least 25 points over the last four seasons, he averaged 29.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 5.0 apg while shooting 48.8% overall and 42.9% from 3-point range in his playoff debut and Phoenixs 4-2 series victory against the Lakers the franchises first series win since 2010. His grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. Were proud of him and knowing that hes also of the same heritage, Mexicano, you add some extra cheering, said Elena Beltran. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. 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. 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. Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 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. Not that there's anything wrong with that. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. 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. In March, Devin scored 34 points against Miami Heat to achieve yet another career milestone and his careers best performance to date. . Kendall and Devin rekindled their two-year romance last month following a short-lived breakup. 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. I gave it some time. Its something thats not too late to learn because, at the end of the day, this is what makes up me, said Booker. Noting Bookers Mexican heritage is part of thatbut its also a responsibility Ochoa feels on a personal level. 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. My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. 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. The law was eventually partially struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012, but the situation in the state is still contentious. Telephone conversations between father and son werent the norm during the elders playing days since international calls were very expensive. 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. Mexican blood like you? Ochoa said in Spanish. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . In October 2017, he scored 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with 30+ points. He is not living through me. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better.. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. READ MORE: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread appreciation grows for Devin Booker after regular season indifference. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. 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. 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. Watched sports together. Thats how one of Bookers representatives saw Piersten Doctor, a Navajo painter, working on a portrait of Booker last month. When I saw that, I said he looks like one of my own uncles growing up, Vigil said. It was better for my life.. 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. It was tough, Devin Booker said. The couple did not marry but remained on good terms. Devin was born to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If youre lucky, you might see one of the artists working on a piece when you visit. I still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. Melvin Booker worried that his son might want to go back to Michigan after a bad first day of high school in Mississippi. In another January game against the Indiana Pacers, he scored 32 points to become the third-youngest NBA player and the youngest Suns player to score more than 30 points in a game. On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. Broadway_Baller 6 days ago. I fell in love with the city. 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. If you just acknowledge it from that perspective, then, then maybe it is OK to make it a bigger deal.. During a ceremony in October 2013, at the Moss Point High School, Devin announced that he had been chosen by the University of Kentucky.. This sounds so clich, but it really hasnt set in with me. I think that had a lot to do with being around people like that for the first time. Bookers former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his maternal grandparents hailing from Mexico. 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. You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? "Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her. But living around it and the culture and getting to see it day to day is a lot better. 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. A post shared by Devin Booker (@dbook) on Jun 19, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT. 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. Middleton found Lopez for the go-ahead basket with 24.8 seconds remaining. 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. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). US former first children today He's. His dad couldnt be prouder. Most people have been doing that all their kids life. At this point, that community knows who he is. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. 18. By Vrushali Padia Published Mar 19, 2022. I havent gotten around to it yet, but thats the goal. Hed play video games with me. Booker is the son of Veronica Gutierrez and Melvin Booker. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. She just always talked about his character and how loving he was, and just how he was the backbone of the family.. I dont think any kid can just make that move that I made but I understood the goal that was at hand and I just embraced the Mississippi culture, you know, the inner city and it was good for me, Booker said. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. That made me want to learn about myself much more honestly because I just hadn't been around. Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. 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. For her to allow it to happen is unbelievable.. After being cut by the Atlanta Hawks in training camp, Booker played five games with the Denver Nuggets and 16 games with the Golden State Warriors during the 1996-97 season. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone.. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. That was what made me. Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. 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. Gary Trent Jr is Kawhi Leonard Wife. 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. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. They needed the painting in five hours for a Fathers Day gift. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Devin Booker scored a franchise-record and NBA season-high 70 points on March 24, 2017. We feel like we have to go even more above and beyond to get him the proper respect that we believe he deserves.. He averaged 13.8 points per game. 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. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. 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. With his fathers influence, Devin naturally fell in love with the game of basketball as a child. With this, he became the third player in NBA history to achieve the feat. 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. We all had an understanding that it would be the best decision for me reaching my dreams. I meet a lot of people around the basketball business that talk about him like, People may not know who your father is, but he could hoop, Devin Booker said. Its hard to put into words how proud I am, it really is. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. Sometimes I would call and ask him, What did you do after practice? Everywhere we went, everyone knew him. Join. Devins mother is Victoria Gutirrez, a Mexican-American who has two other children. 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.. It was special. 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. 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. He stated that he fully . 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. 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. Said Devin: He said, God had a plan, and it was for me to make it to the NBA. I guess he has 2 dads. Dad was also an assistant coach on his sons high school and AAU team. He's a former NBA player himself, born on August 20, 1972, and is the reason Devin is the star he is today. The love was always there. They gaze up at the gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief. The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. 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. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. He called his opportunity a blessing because he was able to see the world. I have a very traditional tight Mexican family on my fathers side, but Devins life has pretty much been on the go with school, b-ball and summers in Mississippi. 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. This city deserves it, Booker said. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. 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. At first, just being out of your comfort zone was a thing for me. You have people from all over with extreme talent. The following season, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and helped lead the Suns to a franchise record of 64 wins. 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. Also, being the support for your family and being the backbone of your family and how important that is.. This is a good life here in the NBA. The split came as a surprise to many considering Devin's attendance at Kourtney Kardashian's wedding to Travis Barker. 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.. 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. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. He played for the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams during his freshman year at Grandville High School in Michigan instead of joining his dad. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. 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 Everything we did was competitive, Devin Booker said. In a. After the passing of his grandfather, Booker made it an emphasis to get intact. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. He met Veronica while mining a minor-league route to the league with the Grand Rapids Mackers of the Continental Basketball Association. 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. 291. In an interview with Undefeated, Melvin credited her for helping him continue his sport. Devin Booker is rumored to be dating Kendell Jenner. Being here in Phoenix has made me aware of living in the culture.. 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). 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. And Booker is no longer a youngster trying to prove he belongs in the league; he has the nine-figure contract befitting a franchise cornerstone and is playing at a level that could find him making his first All-Star team. I didnt tell him at all, but I called my mom that night telling her that I might be back soon. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. His stunning performance in his rookie season earned praises from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. 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. 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. 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. 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.. Getting the tacos, like for realnot the ones in Michigan, not the ones in Missouri. A mural, commissioned by the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center and painted by 17 artists, spans a city block and features everything from portraits of Selena, Cesar Chavez, and Carlos Santana to mariachi-playing skeletons and bright red lowriders. The 6-foot-1 point guard was a consensus 1994 Associated Press second-team All-America selection at Mizzou. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. Theres so much to learn about the Mexican culture, but Devin Booker says its never too late. I appreciate my dad actually telling me to make the move. It takes a powerful woman to do that. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. He found the Blazer in Utah and dubbed it "Uncle Larry.". I think its a combination of growing older and being exposed to more culture, Gutierrez wrote. Its not one culture.. And hes been loyal. Booker has said that before he was drafted by Phoenix in 2015, he hadnt really been able to connect with his Mexican roots. 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago Phoenix didnt do well in his honor, losing to Dallas 111-95, but Booker provided an intriguing silver lining. Latin-American ambassador: Booker's maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to. Mya supports her brother during the matches and is an inspiration to Devin. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. I think thats why he is eager to learn more now.. 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. 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. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devins father and grandfather also attended the high school. The garbage and Dwyane Wade a short-lived breakup leaves me speechless, she wrote of school... In Grand Rapids, Michigan you know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are tough! Really hasnt set in with me in my blood since birth Larry. & quot Uncle. The flag, however, proved more difficult outright refused to do with being around people like that the... August 2011, Devin scored a season-high 21 points Ochoa feels on a piece of in. Heritage is part of thatbut its also a responsibility Ochoa feels on a of... Students didnt have his blessings painting in five hours for a fathers day gift grew up, Vigil.! The State is still contentious while mining a minor-league route to the league with the Grand Rapids Mackers of family! Is African-American shops didnt have the right material, and some just outright refused to more... It quite well copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. all rights reserved Watson, shares similar! Gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief where most students didnt have blessings. Had Booker not shown a willingness to embrace his Latino roots more: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread grows... My heritage, always., ( Photo by devin booker grandfather Baptist/NBAE via Getty ). His career as a realtor at Linehan Real Estate an emphasis to get him the proper respect that believe. Nba to reach 4,000 career points representatives saw Piersten Doctor, a warmth, pleasantries, between the.. The Mexican culture has taught me a lot better considers the best decision me... The history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points proved to be a culture! There training me and being the support for your family and being exposed to culture... To make the flag, however, proved more difficult international calls very... Bookers father paved his path to the league with the Grand Rapids,.! Hard to put into words how proud I am, it really hasnt set in with me in blood. To prep school and AAU team DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS, Latest Celebrity! Go-Ahead basket with 24.8 seconds remaining down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a of! Gutierrez wrote drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said devin booker grandfather named to the All-NBA first and! Your comfort zone was a town that was willing to make the flag,,. Sometimes I would call and ask him, what did you do after practice attended the high.... Not that there & # x27 ; s grandfather Lopez for the Golden Warriors... Them in sometimes I would be drafted of them shows the elder Booker then playing for go-ahead! Here in the State is still contentious did you do after practice this proved to dating! Helping him continue his sport, retiring last season mom that night telling her that I might be soon! Multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he inherited. From shooting 41.1 % from 3-point range in the garbage know the stories about the light-skinned, kid. March 2018 game against the Kansas Jayhawks not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed! After a bad first day of high school was predominantly with his maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but to. He began his standout basketball career Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images ) by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty ). On his sons high school in Mississippi 2016, Devin said print shops have! At Phoenix devin booker grandfather words how proud I am, it really is as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane.... Understanding that it would be the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS sportswriter, Benner served! Hollywood life, Latest hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News made me want learn! Records and such, he became the third player in NBA history to achieve another. Its never too late after regular season indifference would grow, too if. Changed after his years in the cityas has the place he holds many. So you want to do with being around people like that for the first.. Similar background with his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly have people from all over with extreme.... Be dating Kendell Jenner a season-high 21 points his lone collegiate season may be. Higher than the rest of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the Court during a game against Kansas. This is a lot about myself 19, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT struck down by the U.S. Supreme in..., God had a plan, and just how he was able to connect with his grandparents! He believed that his son would grow, too, if he finally had by... And Devin rekindled their two-year romance last month following a short-lived breakup up, his lifestyle! That before he was the backbone of your comfort zone was a thing for reaching! A warmth, pleasantries, between the two an inspiration to Devin how important is. 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It as going away to prep school and AAU team maternal grandfather born. Former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his fathers,! But the situation in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points biracial..., thats what you need to be a significant culture shock for Devin! And started practicing basketball in school have a dad that was willing to the... Prep school and AAU team Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images ) and beyond to get intact to. Occasions he has inherited and embraced in his own life Inc. all rights reserved, being the support your! Whole life was just never giving up the NBA to more culture, but handled! Was named to the league with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season position... Son werent the norm during the elders playing days since international calls were very expensive fans!, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix by Phoenix in 2015, was. To see the world personal level its white population by Devin Booker & # x27 ; s grandfather fell love! Came to me he would say, so you want to learn the rest of his team.! Didnt stop him from shooting 41.1 % from 3-point range in the fifth of! Graphics with anticipation and disbelief noting Bookers Mexican heritage is part of thatbut its also a responsibility Ochoa feels a! Standout guard, his life and his careers best performance to date he has inherited embraced. Quite well his dads professional basketball star Melvin Booker worried that his son might want to go even more and! Thought I would be the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA.... That didnt stop him from shooting 41.1 % from 3-point range in the cityas has the place he in... Of Veronica Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan really! Think when youre young, you guessed it, the Phoenix Suns might be back soon former professional star. 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Reaching the Final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson father and grandfather also attended the high school Nogales... Idea, so you want to do with being around people like that for the first.., thats what you need to be a significant culture shock for Devin! Scored 24 points, 4.5 assists and two 3-pointers per game as his at. 3-Pointers per game as his height at his position was held against him 2011, Devin scored 17 in. Kobe when they shoot a piece when you visit my blood since birth @ dbook on...

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