So good, it should come with a spoiler alert. 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 think thats why he is eager to learn more now.. Melvin Booker, however, believed that Moss Point High would benefit from his sons presence on and off the court. Melvin Booker played in the American minor leagues for the Hartford Hellcats and Pittsburgh Piranhas and had two stints with Grand Rapids. The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. 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. The Suns, including owner Robert Sarver, spoke out against the bill and wore their Los Suns jerseys in solidarity with the community. Hed play video games with me. This season was to mark his fifth appearance in the competition before ultimately pulling out due to injury. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. 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. Get to know them better here. PHOENIX Phoenix Suns' number one player Devin Booker is an inspiration to many people, but here in the Valley of the Sun, Booker has added a special moment of pride to the Latino community. The following season, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and helped lead the Suns to a franchise record of 64 wins. The lack of representation within the league has encouraged Booker to carry the mantle for people of Mexican heritage. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. I guess he has 2 dads. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. 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. It wasnt an easy move for a teenager who only knew suburban life to switch to an urban environment at a high school where his dad was a star. Devin Booker said he owes his mom the world for allowing him to depart to Mississippi and primarily raising him beforehand. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. Isael Lugo didnt get 20 feet inside Phoenix Suns Arena before he was stopped last week. I was trying to make up for the times I missed when I was gone, he told the outlet in 2016. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. Booker, not knowing Spanish, wasnt as comfortable sharing that side of himself until Watson encouraged him to. 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. Melvin Booker was the epitome of cool when his son was selected, but inside the emotions were high. Their goal was to have it ready for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, but getting it made wasnt easy. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Try a week on us. I think all of this is even cooler because he has Mexican blood in him, and hes carrying that with him, Gerardo said while looking at a marquee that featured Booker in the center. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. 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. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. Booker's traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. Now shes a diehard fan who makes a point to go to the players entrance before every game to welcome the team. In October 2017, he scored 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish his 21st career game with 30+ points. 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. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. and people say this sub is not woke enough. Oops. It's Los Suns for a reason, right? 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. Devin spent his early years in Grandville, Michigan, which was a suburb of Grand Rapids. Imagine how I have to paint that picture over the airwaves so that those who listen to us who are Mexican, so that they can feel proud of a guy who shares their blood being an NBA star and who might be the most important player in the city since Larry Fitzgerald.. I remember dropping him off at school that day and staying about an hour to make sure he had his classes scheduled correct. Devin Booker spends his sprawling $26.6 million fortune to live a lavish life. The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. Whenever Melvin traveled to other countries for his games, the fatherson duo would communicate through e-mails. 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. We talked about maybe getting a tutor that can be on the planes with us or something like that. 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 had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. Rounding out his collection is a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS finished in black cherry. Valdes says hes a diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him hopeful. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. 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. The Suns just in general, the whole Valley is behind the Suns, said Beltran. 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. Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. Read Kevin OConnors grades of every first-round pick. I can only imagine how it is across the water. 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. Its definitely something that I want to do. Join. 9. Id do anything for them. Did you get to the weight room?, He didnt understand. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. Ever since [Devin] was 8 months old, he was coming with me in the summertime. 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. Everywhere we went, everyone knew him. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devin's father and grandfather also attended the high school. He was very supportive of everything that I did and still do today. But I had many conversations with my dad. 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. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better.. Devin was immensely attached to his father. That didnt stop him from shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in the Wildcats march to the Final Four. 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. A post shared by Devin Booker (@dbook) on Jun 19, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT. 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. 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. 18. 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. It was his mother, Veronica Gutierrez's hometown, and his father, Melvin Booker, who played for CBA's Grand Rapids Hoops. Devin and Mya have become very close over the years and hes often seen sharing sweet moments with her. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go there. Who the f is this guy lmao. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Most people have been doing that all their kids life. 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. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. 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. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. 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. They never married but dated for many years and had Devin, Melvins only child, in 1996. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. Devin Booker scored a franchise-record and NBA season-high 70 points on March 24, 2017. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. 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. The undersized point guard was stunned as he went undrafted. However, Melvin managed to convince Devins mother, and Devin was soon enrolled at Moss Point High School, where Melvin was hired as an assistant coach. Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns first All-Star since Nash. From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. I got to see the guys like Michael Jordan play up close, Melvin Booker said. Noticing his immense talent, Melvin tried hard to bring his son back to Mississippi permanently. Ive been here, putting my head down, grinding, you know, these past five years, trying to get to this point, to at least give them competitive basketball. Devin played basketball with his dad and his friends. Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The relationship foundered after Devin's birth, and Veronica raised their son as a single mom while Melvin played international basketball in Europe. It means a lot to me. 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. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. His scoring talent was probably more suited for todays game as his height at his position was held against him. 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. 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. 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. His grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. They played video games together. 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. Devin Booker collected the 2018 Three-Point Contest title. I gave it some time. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. . Were proud of him and knowing that hes also of the same heritage, Mexicano, you add some extra cheering, said Elena Beltran. 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. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. 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. I still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. 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. 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. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . His mom even has the same last name as us: Gutirrez.. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . A couple of things that I learned from my grandfather were about the hard work and dedication to a craft. CartographerBlind. 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. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, who is serving a 25-game suspension for getting caught using a diuretic. But Devin didnt want to leave his mom and his friends. During a ceremony in October 2013, at the Moss Point High School, Devin announced that he had been chosen by the University of Kentucky.. I was with the Rockets for the minute. 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. The two hit it off, and a year later, Devin was born. 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. He died aged 67. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Were going to see him do and be more involved in our community.. I appreciate my dad actually telling me to make the move. 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. With Booker's help, his younger half-sister, who has microdeletion syndrome, will be a Special Olympics worldwide ambassador in 2020. 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. When I saw that, I said he looks like one of my own uncles growing up, Vigil said. Gerardo can rattle off facts about Booker like he's a walking Wikipedia page: Booker's mom is Mexican American, and his grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, a town near the Texas. After having Devin in 1996, she was often the one to. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. Knowing that you're capable of doing that and seeing somebody in front of you that has done it before, I know it can be inspiring. You have the same issues and same problems you have at most urban schools. She made it happen. The Suns are back in Mexico City this weekend to take on the Spurs again but the team and Booker are in different places. 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. Mexican blood like you? Ochoa said in Spanish. And while the Gutirrez brothers and other Latino fans have plenty of respect and appreciation for a player like Chris Paul, whose arrival last offseason helped turn the Suns into a contender, what they feel for Booker is something much greater: a cultural connection. College basketball was to play a crucial role in shaping Devins future as a star basketball player. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. But Melvin Booker said the relationship and bond grew so much closer during his sons three years at Moss Point. That meeting included a gift: a pair of signature shoes on which Bryant had written Be legendary.Booker has since gotten the phrase tattooed on his arm, and admitted his idol was very much on his mind when he scored 47 points in Game 6 to eliminate Bryants former team in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. He became an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Moss Point High School, after retiring from playing professionally. 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