Devin Booker may be one of the flashiest players in the game, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t understand the nuances of it either.
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From an early age, Booker would be absorbed by the TV watching NBA games just like so many other 11 and 12 year olds. However, he watched these games in a much different way.
It was this unique perspective on the game that made his dad, Melvin Booker, realize that there was something special with his kid. That special kid is now going to be in his first NBA Finals at 24 years old.
Congratulations Melvin Booker, congrats @DevinBook: the @Suns are back in the @NBA Finals.
Proud of you guys! ⚪️🔴#insieme #NBAFinals #Booker pic.twitter.com/RAo661PbH2— Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) July 1, 2021
Melvin Booker Realized How Unique Devin Booker Was After Detroit Traded Chauncey Billups
Melvin Booker realized his son had something special in him after the Detroit Pistons traded away Chauncey Billups in 2008 to acquire Allen Iverson.
While Booker watched the games with as much excitement as you could imagine an 11 or 12 year old to have, he really never concentrated on the flashy three pointers or dunks that stood as “eye-candy” to everyone else.
Instead, he knew how valuable Billups was in his role with Detroit, and so he was wildly upset when the Pistons made the move even though Iverson was a superstar.
Melvin would say:
“He didn’t go for the flashy game. He went for the simple game. He understood the importance of what Chauncey would bring to a team. I knew then, for a kid to be 11 or 12 years old and understand that, I was like, this kid understands basketball.”
Booker had himself a career year this season as he made the playoffs for the first time in his career. In the playoffs he’s averaging 27 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game.
Devin Booker giving a shoutout to Moss Point last night after helping the #Suns reach the #NBAFinals.
Booker says that move from Michigan to Mississippi and the 3 years he played for his dad Melvin were huge in his basketball journey.@DevinBook @MPSDtigers pic.twitter.com/G3av6TPmrQ
— Taylor Curet (@TaylorCuret) July 2, 2021
Devin Booker’s contract is well worth his pay. The Suns guard signed a five-year $158 million deal last year.
Devin Booker’s girlfriend is Kendal Jenner as the two celebrated 1 year of dating recently. Devin Booker doesn’t have any children.