Ugh, Pitino killed Boston's franchise for a decade. 12) and point guard Tyler Ulis (No. [6][96] Devin is the only child of his father, Melvin Booker, a former professional basketball player. [134] During his time in the NBA Bubble, Booker was named a nominee for the Seeding Games MVP award (earned for the best overall performance in the NBA's resumed regular season games), as well as earned a spot for one of the All-Seeding Games Teams, averaging 31 points per game during these games. [28], Booker's injury proved minor, and did not hamper him in Moss Point's next game, where he scored 26 points in a 5248 loss to Davidson High School in the Jackie Laird Christmas Classic at Biloxi High School. We present them here for purely educational purposes. [170] He became the sixth youngest player to reach 12,000 career points trailing only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. It could start with Jalen Duren, On the first day of NIL era, UK athletes begin cashing in with policy finalized, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Kevin Durant might be the best basketball player on the planet when hes healthy. [87], During the offseason, Booker trained with head coach Earl Watson and former NBA player Baron Davis at UCLA,[88] was invited to be on the select team that practices against Team USA in preparation for the Summer Olympics,[89] and played two games for the Suns during the Las Vegas Summer League. All three players were drafted No. This team is absolutely stacked. [176][177], Growing up in Michigan, Booker is a Detroit sports fan, frequently sporting attire from the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Lions. [48] At an October 31 ceremony at his high school gymnasium, Booker announced he had chosen Kentucky, citing the program's history and his affinity for coach John Calipari as primary factors in his decision. 1 overall after one season at Kentucky. You can replace Mercer with Tony Delk and the same be true. Bowie was later awarded an honorary medal from President Jimmy Carter after the United States elected to boycott the 1980 Moscow Games. We want guys here that are saying, I want to get better. Make the most of it. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. DevinBook Devin Booker was born in Whitmire, South Carolina. WebCollege: Kentucky. [125][126] On March 27, he scored 50 points in a 124121 loss to the Wizards, becoming the youngest player in NBA history with consecutive 50-point games. the Phoenix Suns lost to the Celtics, 130-120. Theres no doubt whatsoever that hes at least in the top 5. However, based on Durants recent comments at All-Star weekend, theres a chance that the Suns could look to target 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony to help bolster their bench. [162] After missing the next three games, Booker returned in the Suns' 115109 Game 6 road win that clinched the series and an appearance in the Western Conference Semifinals for Phoenix. I think he still has the talent to play in our league.. Even on most of John Caliparis Kentucky teams, a top-30 freshman would be a heavy favorite to start for the Wildcats, but the 2014-15 Kentucky team was unusual in that it returned most of the key contributors from an unlikely 2014 Final Four run. Could Louisville's early interest give Cards a leg up over UK for Reed Sheppard? Data Provided By He was Kentuckys third leading scorer at 10.0 points per game, which is notable because Booker never started at game at Kentucky; he only averaged 21.5 minutes a game as a bench Instagram: So, I like guys that can score from all areas of the floor, and being around somebody that works like that and that cares about the game like that is only going to help me. On April 9, 2015, Booker declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility. [29] University of Missouri fans attended en masse to cheer for Booker, who averaged 30.2 points over Moss Point's three games, hoping to entice him to play for the Tigers. A three-point champion, gold medalist, and three time all-star, Booker is poised to take over as a face of the league. WebDevin Booker was a member of the fabled 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats that set college basketball on fire with a 38-0 record before falling in the Final Four to Wisconsin. Booker has recorded at least [90][91] With teammate Eric Bledsoe returning from injury in 201617, Booker was retained as the starting shooting guard while Brandon Knight was moved to the bench. [11][12] He visited his father regularly during the summer. The stakes weren't quite as high on Sunday, but the deciding play was eerily similar. Come on. [29][30] On the second day of the Classic, Booker scored a season-high 49 points in an 8065 win over Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, a performance that added Duke to the list of schools recruiting him. He enrolled at Moss Point High School, where his father was hired as an assistant coach, in August 2011. He received the honor again on January 17, 2022 for his efforts during Week 13. [32] Moss Point went 33 in Division 7-5A, finishing the divisional season with a 5140 victory over Gautier High School. 19) were also given higher billing than Booker (No. Durant, unfortunately, hasn't suited up for the Phoenix Suns just yet. Join our linker program. [150] In Game 6 of the Conference Finals, Booker dropped 22 points in a 130103 victory over the Clippers, to lead the Suns to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. They are involved in a huge Western Conference playoff race, and if they want to earn a good seed, they need to finish strong. Dont shy away from it. [149] In Game 1 of the Conference Finals, Booker recorded his first career triple-double with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, in a 120114 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. [53], Booker's 38-point performance in a January 31 win against Pass Christian High School made him Moss Point's all-time career scoring leader with 2,263 points, surpassing the 2006 mark of 2,251 set by David Booker (no relation). I understand theyre trying to win now., Kevin Durant Issues Strong Statement on Devin Booker Ahead of Huge Suns Push, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. [57], In the 2014 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game, Booker had a game-high 31 points and was named MVP of the Mississippi team, but his team lost to the Alabama team 9083. During. I wish I could have shown more to the Kentucky fans, but at the end of the day, I feel like I'm in a great situation and we made a lot of memories here.. On June 25, 2015, Booker was selected as the thirteenth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2015 NBA draft. No-Trouble Returns upon All However, the 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game tips off at 7:30 PM ET.The Knicks took care of business in their most recent game 109-94 against the Celtics on Monday. I think in Devin's case, it was the opposite of that. Yes, he does have a shoe deal with Nike. [45] He took an official visit to the University of Kentucky on the weekend of September 9 to watch an alumni exhibition game; fellow 2014 prospects Jahlil Okafor and Tyler Ulis also attended. Two days later, Kentucky beat Baylor, the team the Wildcats had defeated in the NCAA title game, to earn a matchup with the AAU champion Phillips Oilers in the trials finals. On August 4, Booker hit a fade-away game-winning jumper at the buzzer over Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to lift the Suns to a 117115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers and bring their record there to 30 at the time. Caliparis loyalty to the returning players on that team was such he turned down an offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers to return to the NBA in the spring of 2014. I was still a lottery pick, so I'm definitely fine with that. Devin Booker missed over 20 games and didn't make the cut thanks to his injury. [17] In December, he hit a buzzer beater from just beyond half court to beat Harrison Central High School, improving Moss Point's record to 46 on the year. He went on to make his NBA debut two days before his 19th birthday, in the Suns' season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. They also have a former No. Heres a closer look at what Bookers one year in Lexington taught us about his NBA future. I stuck with it, and obviously it played out well. [100][101], "What strikes a lot of people about Devin is all the other stuff he can do he's really developed his ball handling, his pick and roll game, he thinks the game at a high level. Booker was named as a first team All-NBA player on Tuesday. You don't know when you're going to get in the game. If Booker could come off the bench at Kentucky, still be drafted in the lottery and develop into a superstar, Calipari argues that the next wave of top recruits should be less concerned about their individual stats at UK. [33] Booker, who struggled with his outside shot due to a wrap on his injured right wrist, hit all 17 of his free throws en route to a game-high 30 points in the win. [41] At the Under Armour Elite 24 showcase, he won the three-point shooting contest. Getty Jae Crowder of the Milwaukee Bucks and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. But he can still guard and were all team defense anyway so. [38] In March, he was named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year for 2013, and in April, he became the second player ever to win the Sun Herald Player of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. He was a bright spot for us in a difficult year. Kentucky players combined for 191 of the Americans 524 points in the tournament. It could start with Jalen Duren. LEXINGTON There will be a distinct Kentucky flavor to the U.S. mens basketball team taking the court for the Tokyo Olympics. [145] The duo would also help Phoenix clinch their first playoff berth since 2010. [27] The following week, Booker left a game against Harrison Central High School in the third quarter with a sprained MCL; he had scored just 9 points, but grabbed 7 rebounds. [166] On November 18, Booker scored 49 points alongside 8 rebounds and 10 assists in a 134133 loss to the Utah Jazz. [66] In Kentucky's next game against Texas-Arlington, Booker set a new season high with a team-high 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including five made three-pointers, in a 9244 win. [138] Two days later, Booker passed Dan Majerle for 10th place in the Suns all-time scoring list in a 123101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. [9] At that time, his father told reporters that Booker was drawing interest from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Florida, Alabama, Georgetown, Michigan and Missouri. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. [67], In 38 games for Kentucky in 201415, Booker averaged 10.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan and Moss Point, Mississippi. Thats quite the jump from the freshman guard who did not start a single game in Kentucky. You get TJ [Warren] and [Kevin Durant], Bridges told JJ Redick on The Old Man & The Three podcast. He came up with a clutch steal in the closing seconds to preserve the win, and finished with a game-high 33 points, four rebounds and five assists. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Davis played in his Olympics shortly after leading Kentucky to the 2012 national championship before he made his NBA debut. So, Im looking forward to being around him., Safe to say @KDTrey5 is excited to play with @DevinBook. He says that about everybody, though. [70], On July 13, Booker signed his rookie scale contract with the Suns,[71] and in seven subsequent Summer League games, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. However, based on Durants recent comments at All-Star weekend. Devin Booker pic.twitter.com/NFZHTuoLXV, Boardroom (@boardroom) February 28, 2023. Fans curious about his background, "Celebrate Our Community with APS Los Suns Night", "Mexican roots run deep with the Phoenix Suns", "El novato Devin Booker an no decide entre EU o Puerto Rico", "Suns draft pick Devin Booker groomed to play professionally", "DRAKE, 2K AND NETFLIX: FIVE MOMENTS AT HOME WITH THE PHOENIX SUNS", "Moss Point's Devin Booker begins junior season squarely in basketball spotlight", "Melvin Booker Shootout: Pascagoula, Moss Point both win", "Boys Basketball: Harrison Central 59, Moss Point 52", "Recruiting: 2014 Michigan target Devin Booker scores 49 points in prep game, Duke now reportedly involved", "Moss Point's Devin Booker begins recruiting trek this weekend with visits to North Carolina, Duke", "Basketball: Moss Point's Devin Booker named Mississippi's Gatorade Player of the Year", "Moss Point basketball star Devin Booker back on Coast, ready for recruiting homestretch, senior year", "Basketball recruiting: Moss Point's Devin Booker verbally commits to Kentucky", "Basketball recruiting: Moss Point's Devin Booker has completed visits, but still mulling college decision", "Point overcome McGill-Toolen in 7867 loss in Melvin Booker Shootout", "Basketball: Moss Point's Devin Booker closing in on 2,000 career points, school scoring record", "Basketball: Devin Booker sets Moss Point career scoring record in 7553 victory over Pass Christian", "Basketball: Moss Point's season ends with 6156 loss to McComb despite Devin Booker's 42 points", "Basketball: Moss Point's Devin Booker makes USA Today All-USA third team", "Moss Point's Devin Booker scores eight points as West wins McDonald's All-American Game, 105102", "Kentucky signee Devin Booker of Moss Point scores 43, named MVP of All-Star Showcase", "College basketball: Moss Point's Devin Booker impressive in first Rupp Arena apperance [, "No. [20] In an early December game, Booker outscored the entire Ocean Springs High School team 4039 through three quarters en route to a 48-point finish as Moss Point won 10055. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/02/phoenix-suns-devin-booker-kevin-durant-super-team, 2023 NFL mock draft: Shaking up the top 6 with trades (and a Chicago Bears haul), Max Scherzers innovative way to use the MLB pitch clock is horrible news for hitters, The latest 2023 NFL mock draft from Mel Kiper Jr. has so many top-10 trades, 1 side-by-side MLB video should convince you the pitch clock is the best, Sister Jean surprisingly picked a non-Chicago team to win the NCAA Mens National title, NFL fans are already freaking out at Bryce Young's reported height BEFORE the 2023 NFL combine, Stunning video shows huge hammerhead shark racing to catch stingrays, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [58] Booker's 31 points tied Othella Harrington's 1992 performance for the most ever scored by a Mississippi player in the event. With the Suns trailing by two and 24.8 seconds remaining, Booker tried to go one Born: Oct 30, 1996 (26 years old) Birthplace/Hometown: Moss Point, Mississippi. Team for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge,[98] and was invited to take part in the 2017 Taco Bell Skills Challenge. Theres no way around it. And thats OK! [7][8] His parents met while his father was playing basketball for the Continental Basketball Association's Grand Rapids Hoops in Gutirrez's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. With a straight face: Well, we only had one All-Star, thats KD. pic.twitter.com/hblDH9bii6, Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 23, 2023, Well, we only had one All-Star this year, that was KD.. (33-29, 4th place in NBA Western Conference). [29][31] In early January, Moss Point went 12 in the Poplar Bluff showdown in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, defeating Memphis' Kirby High School but losing to Maplewood Richmond Heights High School and host Poplar Bluff High School. His IQ for the game. [121][122] On January 24, Booker became the fifth youngest player in NBA history to reach 5,000 career points, behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard. [23] For the year, Booker averaged 22.8 points per game and was named the South Mississippi Player of the Year by the Sun Herald, becoming just the second sophomore to be awarded the honor. Player on the Old Man & the three podcast three podcast Point went 33 Division! Lottery pick, so i 'm definitely fine with that hes at in! His efforts during Week 13 you do n't know when you 're going to in! And [ kevin Durant ], Bridges told JJ Redick on the Man... We only had one All-Star, thats KD Booker, a former professional basketball player 20 Games and did make... 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