His grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico where he and his family stayed for decades. The 6-foot-1 point guard was a consensus 1994 Associated Press second-team All-America selection at Mizzou. This particular remark carries special significance for Ochoa. 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. In an interview with Undefeated, Melvin credited her for helping him continue his sport. The preservation of a basketball legacy strengthened Melvin Bookers relationship with his son. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. 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. Only two photos of him exist in the leagues Getty/NBAE archives. The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. I think the moment everybody found out that I had Mexican in my bloodline, I got on social media and started seeing younger kids of the Hispanic descent reaching out to me and saying, 'You're my favorite player. 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. 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. The respect I received from my family and everyone in the city made me want to stay. Media reports claim that while in college, he had had many affairs. 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. Hes learning a lot. In his first seven Summer League games, Devin averaged more than 15 points per game and proved his mettle. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Bookers NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2015. Rounding out his collection is a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS finished in black cherry. Devin, a three-time NBA All-Star, is a professional . I dont look back on that. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. So I think with the team that we have, the culture that we have, that coach Monty has put together, this is the best position that weve been in since Ive been here, to make those dreams and aspirations come to life. Devin Booker Personal Life. They gaze up at the gold lettering and Larry OBrien Trophy graphics with anticipation and disbelief. 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. Most of the time with breaking records and such, he leaves me speechless, she wrote. Everyone loved him.. Thats part of the reason I grind so much, Devin Booker said. Devin Booker hasnt disappointed. But living around it and the culture and getting to see it day to day is a lot better. So hes won the people of Phoenix over, especially the Latino community.. In June, sources confirmed the couple had split amid mounting speculation from fans who noticed signs of a breakup. 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. Booker also won a gold medal on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads. Before his senior season, Devin narrowed his final college choices to his dads alma mater, Missouri, as well as Michigan, Michigan State, and Kentucky. It wasnt long ago that the radio broadcaster was calling games in Spanish for a 19-win team in a nearly empty building. 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. Those were the most enjoyable moments - just sitting down, family time and enjoying some really good food.. 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. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. And it turned around. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. They never married but dated for many years and had Devin, Melvins only child, in 1996. Booker would like to lean into that by learning to speak Spanish. Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates. Like Devin, Melvin spent many years as a professional basketball player. 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. 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. This high school in the South had serious urban problems. 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. And I think for Latino kids, its probably a little bit easier to envision themselves as Devin Booker.. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Every day has been a learning process for me. The Suns are back in Mexico City this weekend to take on the Spurs again but the team and Booker are in different places. 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. Huh, I thought Gary Trent was Luka Doncic father. Booker has this charisma that people connect with, Ochoa said. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. 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. I would definitely, my moms rice, her sopa, cheese, and the tortillas, that's all you need, said Elena Beltran. Devin and Mya have become very close over the years and hes often seen sharing sweet moments with her. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. My Mexican culture has taught me a lot about myself. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. 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. First, Lugo commissioned a graphic designer friend to mock up the design. 1.4K. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. 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 Is Melvin Booker? In June 2015, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick. Jesus Gutierrez who went by Jesse, to most was originally from Mexico, growing up in a large family of 15 brothers and sisters in Nuevo Len before later settling in Michigan. Who the f is this guy lmao. Melvin Booker was the epitome of cool when his son was selected, but inside the emotions were high. 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. Its 11 p.m. on the night before Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals, and the space in front of Phoenix Suns Arena is brightly lit. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. Being here in Phoenix has made me aware of living in the culture.. The undersized point guard was stunned as he went undrafted. Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone.. Also, being the support for your family and being the backbone of your family and how important that is.. Davon Wade works as a realtor at Linehan Real Estate. 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. Its a feeling like no other. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. 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. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. In a game against the Sacramento Kings in January 2016, Devin scored a season-high 21 points. The painting, according to Doctor, is hanging in the Bookers gym. US former first children today He's. Bookers grandfather immigrated from Nogales, Mexico, to Michigan where the 2020 All-Star ultimately grew up. He died aged 67. Apart from this, her rare medical condition called Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome has also drawn more attention. 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. He always shot with the perfect form, Melvin Booker said. "I usually keep it Chevy, you know . 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. 3-Point Contest: The league noticed Bookers shooting stroke immediately and invited its youngest player to participate in the 2016 Three-Point Contest. 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. Devin ended the season with an average of 22.1 points per game. 291. You know the stories about the light-skinned, biracial kid, are they tough enough? He believed that his relationship with his son would grow, too, if he finally had him by his side. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. 3. CartographerBlind. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. Ever since he was 8 months old he was coming with me in the summertime. Devin Booker has Mexican roots, making his stardom even sweeter for the Valley's Latino community. Davon is the eldest brother of an American basketball player Devin Booker who plays for Phoenix Suns. College basketball was to play a crucial role in shaping Devins future as a star basketball player. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. He is the only child of former professional basketball star Melvin Booker, who is Devin's father. Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. He ended up meeting Devins mother, Veronica, when he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers in the 1995-1996 CBA season. 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). He did eventually make it to the NBA, first playing 11 games for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-96 season. These fans might have not been at the game, but that didnt mean they couldnt keep the party going after. Davon lives a single life. 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. He also taught his son some tricks of the trade he developed on the pro level. To the Gutirrezes, both of whom are first-generation Americans with Mexican parents, Bookers background is a source of pride. Booker 's parents met while father Melvin played semi-professional basketball for the local. He's just not. Music booms through two speakers as a DJ and a hype man practice their lines, but the area is virtually deserted. . From influencing his love of basketball, to showing him how to build a strong relationship, his folks are definitely a part of his success story. 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. He is not living through me. 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. RELATED: Devin Booker wins season-long NBA Community Assist Award for local outreach, I knew that he was going to take us far.. A couple of things that I learned from my grandfather were about the hard work and dedication to a craft. In a. 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. 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. Isael Lugo didnt get 20 feet inside Phoenix Suns Arena before he was stopped last week. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, its not one race. After the passing of his grandfather, Booker made it an emphasis to get intact with his heritage and the surrounding Valley community gave him the perfect environment to do so. That was what made me. From 1997-2008, Melvin Booker made a living playing most notably in Italy with stints in Turkey and Russia. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. 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. Of course, her being my mother, she said, Just let me know when [youre] coming back. 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. Everything we did was competitive, Devin Booker said. That made me want to learn about myself much more honestly because I just hadn't been around. Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. 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. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. I always say Im fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. I remember dropping him off at school that day and staying about an hour to make sure he had his classes scheduled correct. Hes from a suburban, predominantly white town, Melvin Booker told The Undefeated. 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. Even so, he did have some lasting memories. . Booker has said that before he was drafted by Phoenix in 2015, he hadnt really been able to connect with his Mexican roots. Its something thats not too late to learn because, at the end of the day, this is what makes up me, said Booker. Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. Devin played basketball with his dad and his friends. 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. My relationship with my grandfather was unbelievable, Booker said. One even stopped behind it and crossed himself. 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. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. If you're Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too, Booker said. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. And for those who are fans already, well, its as Ochoa would say, cereza encima del pastel. Cherry on top of the cake. 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. 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. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. One of them shows the elder Booker then playing for the Golden State Warriors driving against, you guessed it, the Phoenix Suns. Melvin is African-American and Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American. The Godfather game for PS3 @NikeMcDonalds . The brothers got their Suns fandom from their father, who came to love the team during the Seven Seconds or Less era. The athletes parents, Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez, led successful careers of their own as they raised him, and have been a huge part of his life. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. 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. Melvin Booker averaged 5.2 points in 17 minutes in just 24 NBA games and believed that he didnt get a true shot. 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. 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. 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. And hes been loyal. 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. His stunning performance in his rookie season earned praises from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Devin Booker was born to play basketball as his father is a former professional basketball player. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Emotions were high per game this high school in the city graphic devin booker grandfather friend to mock up the.! Inside Phoenix Suns everyone loved him.. 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