We talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with us or something like that. It increases the fandom, just because its someone you can relate to, said Jason Macias, a lifelong Suns fan who is a third-generation Mexican American. I think when youre young, you dont really understand it that much. The two hit it off, and a year later, Devin was born. The lack of representation within the league has encouraged Booker to carry the mantle for people of Mexican heritage. Moss Point wasnt suburban Grand Rapids where Devin grew up. He is the only child of former professional basketball star Melvin Booker, who is Devin's father. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. His grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. 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. She just always talked about his character and how loving he was, and just how he was the backbone of the family.. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. Join. To the Gutirrezes, both of whom are first-generation Americans with Mexican parents, Bookers background is a source of pride. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. Gerardo can rattle off facts about Booker like hes a walking Wikipedia page: Bookers mom is Mexican American, and his grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, a town near the Texas border. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. Also, being the support for your family and being the backbone of your family and how important that is.. Its a night I will never forget, he said. Music booms through two speakers as a DJ and a hype man practice their lines, but the area is virtually deserted. Isael Lugo didnt get 20 feet inside Phoenix Suns Arena before he was stopped last week. Doesn't booker have more wins against luka overall? 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. 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. Watched sports together. "I usually keep it Chevy, you know . Since Melvin was playing basketball overseas most of his life, the one-on-one that he got with his father was good for him.. 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. 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. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone, he told the outlet in 2016. Who are Devin Booker's parents? I was with the Rockets for the minute. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. The split came as a surprise to many considering Devin's attendance at Kourtney Kardashian's wedding to Travis Barker. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. 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. That was the only reason I put Devin there. You drive around the city, you look into the stands at the game and you see it. He made his professional NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his 19th birthday. 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. Thats how one of Bookers representatives saw Piersten Doctor, a Navajo painter, working on a portrait of Booker last month. Being here in Phoenix has made me aware of living in the culture.. When I dropped my son off at school, it was the first time, and he was 15 years old, Melvin Booker said. At first, just being out of your comfort zone was a thing for me. This is a good life here in the NBA. RELATED: Devin Booker wins season-long NBA Community Assist Award for local outreach, I knew that he was going to take us far.. I'm sick of hearing this kind of bullshit misinformation get spread by brainless cretins that, frankly, I'm surprised could even type on their keyboard. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. I think thats why he is eager to learn more now.. Devin was born to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin Booker said. . I wasnt going to make the decision for him.. This city deserves it, Booker said. Devin quickly became a very good shooter and continued to grow to 6-foot-6. Those weekend visits growing up came flashing back to Booker two years ago, when his grandfather passed away. Melvin Booker of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the court during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks. 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. The player has confronted that culture's strong family ties are the ones he had always embraced and inherited in his life. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/devin-booker-37685.php. They played video games together. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. I didnt like it all, Devin Booker said. The couple did not marry but remained on good terms. A Draft lottery pick in 2015, Devin Booker has elevated himself from No. Veronica is a Mexican-American and her father was born in Mexico. But once I got there, they embraced me, they took me in and I ended up getting more intact with that side of my family also, my dads side, it was a really important time., Looking back, Booker believes the diversity of his upbringing has made him more relatable to people and teammates of different backgrounds. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. He became the third-youngest player in the history of NBA to reach 4,000 career points. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. And for those who are fans already, well, its as Ochoa would say, cereza encima del pastel. Cherry on top of the cake. Devin Booker was born on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. Booker returned in 2018 and won the contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in the final round. 18. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. 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. Mexican blood like you? Ochoa said in Spanish. From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. 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. In June, sources confirmed the couple had split amid mounting speculation from fans who noticed signs of a breakup. I had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. With his fathers influence, Devin naturally fell in love with the game of basketball as a child. If you're Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too, 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. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. Huh, I thought Gary Trent was Luka Doncic father. A lot of them, at that point, didnt know that Booker was of Mexican descent, Ochoa said. Those three years with his father helped Devin land at a national powerhouse in Kentucky but also exposed him to an environment much different than hed been accustomed to Michigan. Now, shes his biggest fan. 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. RELATED: Devin Booker accepts spot on U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. Devin certainly considered it, but didnt give up and it eventually worked out very well. She reportedly worked as a cosmetologist and already had a son named Davon Wade when she met Devins father in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Telephone conversations between father and son werent the norm during the elders playing days since international calls were very expensive. 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. 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. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. He's a former NBA player himself, born on August 20, 1972, and is the reason Devin is the star he is today. Someone taking pride in their culture and background is always something that we try to teach kids as well, so thats a learning experience for them and it definitely increases fandom for Latinos in general just because its someone representing their culture and our people.. 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). She made it happen. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, who is serving a 25-game suspension for getting caught using a diuretic. 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. Hed play video games with me. They never married but dated for many years and had Devin, Melvins only child, in 1996. I think I gained kind of a following there.. He taught his son to shoot with the correct form. He became an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Moss Point High School, after retiring from playing professionally. 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. Im in a position where Im coming into now, where I understand how important it is. 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 Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This sounds so clich, but it really hasnt set in with me. Its not one culture.. Im around [Latino culture] every day, Booker said the day after winning Game 1 of the Finals. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. Especially with him embracing it, I mean, it brings us more attention toojust knowing that hes Hispanic and hes not afraid to show it.. The then-18-year-old finished the game with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes. He was always shooting with correct form.. Spend some time in Phoenixespecially latelyand that last sentiment rings true. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. 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. His maternal grandfather hails from Mexico. It's Los Suns for a reason, right? Devin Booker is rumored to be dating Kendell Jenner. Playing in Russia with the time difference it would be 3 in the morning there and the middle of the day for us. Its definitely something that I want to do. In a game against the Sacramento Kings in January 2016, Devin scored a season-high 21 points. That was simple enough: Lugo knew he wanted Bookers face on a prayer candle, and a Suns logo with the traditional green, red, and white tricolor design. Most of the time with breaking records and such, he leaves me speechless, she wrote. 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. Ive talked to my teammate Tyler Johnson about it. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. 14. r/AnarchyChess. He was the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year and after impressing on the court, he was elected to the intercollegiate athletics Hall of Fame at theUniversity of Missouri. Hes a young person, Perla said. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Mac McClung checking his new followers. I dont think a lot of people understand how somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. As a father, hed do anything I wanted to do. Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. 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.. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns first All-Star since Nash. He was very supportive of everything that I did and still do today. Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. 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. 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 ended up at the fourth spot in the race for the 2016 Rookie of the Year award. He met Veronica while mining a minor-league route to the league with the Grand Rapids Mackers of the Continental Basketball Association. 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. 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 also believed that his son would grow as a person from being at a school where most students didnt have his blessings. Watson is half-Mexican, from his mothers side, and, according to Ochoa, was always proud of that fact. Sometimes I would go up to [Michigan] to watch him. And hes been loyal. I was with my family back home. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. 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. Dad was also an assistant coach on his sons high school and AAU team. 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. Hed let them have the seats he got in his contract and then try to help them fall in love with Booker. Booker has also recently started driving old-school cars and lowriders to games. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. 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. It's Hispanic Heritage Month. If you just acknowledge it from that perspective, then, then maybe it is OK to make it a bigger deal.. If youre lucky, you might see one of the artists working on a piece when you visit. In March, Devin scored 34 points against Miami Heat to achieve yet another career milestone and his careers best performance to date. The Suns are back in Mexico City this weekend to take on the Spurs again but the team and Booker are in different places. It means a lot to me. These fans might have not been at the game, but that didnt mean they couldnt keep the party going after. His grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico where he and his family stayed for decades. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. They mostly talked about and bonded through basketball. 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. 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. I remember dropping him off at school that day and staying about an hour to make sure he had his classes scheduled correct. They worked out on the court together. Maybe they didn't though, maybe they just smashed their sweaty, ugly, greasy, zit-covered faces all over their . He became the fourth-youngest NBA player to score 1,000 points in the first season. He always shot with the perfect form, Melvin Booker said. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. 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. Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. He ended up meeting Devins mother, Veronica, when he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers in the 1995-1996 CBA season. We all had an understanding that it would be the best decision for me reaching my dreams. And once he did, Ochoa noticed Booker became more comfortable discussing it publicly, like he did when the Suns played in Mexico City in January 2017. Those were the most enjoyable moments - just sitting down, family time and enjoying some really good food.. 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. I gave it some time. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would be much taller than him. 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. Theres so much to learn about the Mexican culture, but Devin Booker says its never too late. We feel like we have to go even more above and beyond to get him the proper respect that we believe he deserves.. Devin Booker got "Be Legendary" tatted on him. 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. 291. 18 0 comments Best Add a Comment More posts from r/nbacirclejerk 78K subscribers NumerousPainting354 2 days ago JOTY 2.4K 111 oldmatesatan 3 days ago Chet Holmgren injury update: no longer in a boot, it looks like his Lisfranc injury to his right foot is healing nicely. I havent gotten around to it yet, but thats the goal. Of course, a lot of this wouldnt have happened had Booker not shown a willingness to embrace his Latino roots. 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. Devin played basketball with his dad and his friends. My relationship with my grandfather was unbelievable, 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. Even then, he still dedicated portions of his post-practice routine to footwork and shot-making on the block. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devins father and grandfather also attended the high school. 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. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He did eventually make it to the NBA, first playing 11 games for the Houston Rockets during the 1995-96 season. This high school in the South had serious urban problems. 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. Hes from a suburban, predominantly white town, Melvin Booker told The Undefeated. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. Devin and Mya have become very close over the years and hes often seen sharing sweet moments with her. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Get to know them better here. In February 2017, he scored 31 points against the Milwaukee Bucks and became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in 16 consecutive games. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. 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. Everywhere we went, everyone knew him. 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. Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his son better, too. His stunning performance in his rookie season earned praises from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. The avid Suns fan attended the game at Footprint Center and met Suns All-Star Devin Booker 30 minutes before tip. 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. I see that as a wink to us because I think he knows thats how we dress. Davon Wade works as a realtor at Linehan Real Estate. The son of former basketball player Melvin Booker, [3] Devin is a three-time NBA All-Star and helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals 2021. 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. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone.. Get to know the Phoenix Suns' young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. 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. 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. Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter, Devin Booker Celebrates 'Beautiful' Girlfriend Kendall Jenner On Her 26th Birthday -- Photos, Kendall Jenner Wishes BF & 'Best Friend' Devin Booker A Happy 25th Birthday -- See Cute Photos, Kendall Jenner Feels Attacked By Boyfriend Devin Bookers Pumpkin Carving Diss, Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves, 13 Obscure Sex Acts You Might Not Know About (But May Want to Try), How Black Creators Can Expand Their Network with LinkedIn, General Hospital Spoilers February 27 March 10. Perla Macias, Jasons wife and a Mexican national who moved to the States at 6 years old and just recently became a citizen, has been involved with Latino outreach organizations around Phoenix. First, Lugo commissioned a graphic designer friend to mock up the design. I also wanted him to be more of a role model to the kids to show that they could make it out of there. Slowly but surely, though, Bookers awareness ofand appreciation forthe culture around him has become more evident. I was fortunate enough to have a dad that was basically a blueprint for me, Devin said. "Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her. Devin, a three-time NBA All-Star, is a professional . 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. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. Oops. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. 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. Gary Trent Jr is Kawhi Leonard Wife. You have people from all over with extreme talent. The undersized point guard was stunned as he went undrafted. It was all his decision, Melvin Booker said. Hikaru has been surpassed for the number one spot on Chess.com's Blitz global leaderboard. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. 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. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go there. Melvin Booker was the epitome of cool when his son was selected, but inside the emotions were high. Originally from Mississippi, he became a great player in high school before getting signed to play for the University of Missouri. 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