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. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. 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. Down to just people saying Kobe when they shoot a piece of trash in the garbage. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. The respect I received from my family and everyone in the city made me want to stay. I dont think a lot of people understand how somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised. 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. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. I think that had a lot to do with being around people like that for the first time. 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. 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. Get to know the Utah Jazz's star center with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. 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. 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. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. The player has confronted that culture's strong family ties are the ones he had always embraced and inherited in his life. From his seat inside a suite at Phoenix Suns Arena, Arturo Ochoa can barely hear himself think. He died aged 67. The couple never married and cooperatively co-parented their son who was predominantly with his mother due to his dads professional basketball career. In the next game, Devin scored 19 points against TexasArlington to set a new season-high score. He became the fourth-youngest NBA player to score 1,000 points in the first season. 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. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Melvin Booker told his son that he needed to have a high basketball IQ since he didnt own elite athleticism and running ability. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Bookers NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2015. Who are Devin Booker's parents? Imagine the pride of having your team have a guy score 40 points in a playoff game, and he has Latino blood? That would spark even more pride when I would tell them, and theyd end up buying his jersey.. 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. 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. Everyone wants to see a little bit of themselves in the athletes that theyre watching on TV, Vigil said. Heres a look at 10 things to know about Phoenixs standout guard, his life and his NBA career. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. Latino fans, in particular, lit up when they saw it. Hikaru has been surpassed for the number one spot on Chess.com's Blitz global leaderboard. They needed the painting in five hours for a Fathers Day gift. To let you know, Devin's maternal grandfather was one of the immigrants from Nogales, Mexico. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. . He made his professional NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks two days before his 19th birthday. Devin Booker said most of the communication when his dad was overseas was through e-mail, which was frustratingly sporadic due to the time difference. Gutierrez and her son said yes before his sophomore season. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. When Booker was 20, Kevin Durant said on The Bill Simmons Podcast that he wanted the Thunder to draft Booker in 2015. Every day has been a learning process for me. Rounding out his collection is a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS finished in black cherry. The Suns, including owner Robert Sarver, spoke out against the bill and wore their Los Suns jerseys in solidarity with the community. 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. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go there. So, that's my job.. 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. Devin visited his father during his summer holidays, in Moss Point, Mississippi, a place that had a significant black population. Veronica is a Mexican-American and her father was born in Mexico. Most people have been doing that all their kids life. 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. Dad was also an assistant coach on his sons high school and AAU team. Get to know the Phoenix Suns' young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. In March, Devin scored 34 points against Miami Heat to achieve yet another career milestone and his careers best performance to date. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, its not one race. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. Davon is the eldest brother of an American basketball player Devin Booker who plays for Phoenix Suns. I think its a combination of growing older and being exposed to more culture, Gutierrez wrote. 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. Ochoa believes that Earl Watson, the Suns coach for parts of three recent seasons, is a big part of the reason Booker began embracing the culture. 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. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. That didnt stop him from shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in the Wildcats march to the Final Four. father: Melvin Booker mother: Veronica Gutierrez Basketball Players American Men Height: 6'5" (196 cm ), 6'5" Males Ancestry: Mexican American City: Grand Rapids, Michigan U.S. State: Michigan Notable Alumni: University Of Kentucky More Facts Recommended Lists: American People Tall Celebrities Tall Male Celebrities Male Sportspersons Ive talked to my teammate Tyler Johnson about it. Devin Booker was born on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. 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). Thats changed after his years in the cityas has the place he holds in many Latino Suns fans hearts. Melvin Booker averaged 5.2 points in 17 minutes in just 24 NBA games and believed that he didnt get a true shot. Hed let them have the seats he got in his contract and then try to help them fall in love with Booker. When you ask people around Phoenix when they became aware of Bookers Mexican heritage, everyone has a different answer: the 2017 game the Suns played in Mexico, or the one in 2019; through the video the team put out for National Hispanic Heritage Month last year; or just this past season, as the Suns became one of the best teams in the league and Booker became an even bigger star. The Latino community says they will stand behind him. As Ochoa puts it, if nine out of 10 Latinos are at least casual Suns fans, then seven out of those nine know that Booker has Mexican background. It brought tears to my eyes. Noting Bookers Mexican heritage is part of thatbut its also a responsibility Ochoa feels on a personal level. Just around the corner from the Latino Arts and Cultural Center mural in downtown Phoenix stands the actual center, which is a hub of paintings, models, and sculptures displaying different aspects of Latino culture. Melvin Booker, his African-American father, played for the Continental Basketball Association Grand Rapids Mackers during the 1995-96 season. 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. Born In: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, See the events in life of Devin Booker in Chronological Order, (American Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as the Shooting guard), https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-draft-points-view-devin-booker#gref, https://hoopshype.com/2017/03/11/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-devin-booker/, Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Michigan, to an AfricanAmerican father, Melvin Brooker, and his MexicanAmerican and Puerto Rican partner, Veronica Gutirrez. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. 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. Bookerwho grew up near Grand Rapids, Michigan, moved to Mississippi in high school, and played college ball at Kentuckysaid recently that he hadnt been able to fully connect with his Latino heritage until he arrived in Phoenix in 2015, at the age of 18. 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. In the 1990s, Latinos made up just 20 percent of Phoenixs population. Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. Huh, I thought Gary Trent was Luka Doncic father. 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. At this point, that community knows who he is. Bryant noticed the young Booker as well, especially when he tried to use one of his own patented post moves against him in Bryants last career game at Phoenix in 2016. Booker has said in the past that this has been much easier for him to do in Phoenix, a city with a population. I was with the Rockets for the minute. Devin played basketball with his dad and his friends. He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School . Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. He averaged 13.8 points per game. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But we did the best that we could.. I didnt like it all, Devin Booker said. Eventually, Melvin ended his career to return home to coach his high school team and focus on his son. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. Devin Booker has Mexican roots, making his stardom even sweeter for the Valley's Latino community. Its something thats not too late to learn because, at the end of the day, this is what makes up me, said Booker. But there was always a connection, a warmth, pleasantries, between the two. Devin Booker was the leading offensive force on the Phoenix Suns and led them to their first appearance in the Finals since 1993. He taught his son to shoot with the correct form. I also wanted him to be more of a role model to the kids to show that they could make it out of there. 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's Hispanic Heritage Month. Devin Booker got "Be Legendary" tatted on him. 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.. Id do anything for them. No longer a pushover or punchline, Phoenix is showing a punchers chance under new coach Monty Williams most nights and is in the playoff hunt despite missing 2018 No. 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. 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. Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Devins performance got better over the years, and his father soon announced that he was contacted by a few NBA teams that were interested to acquire Devin. He called his opportunity a blessing because he was able to see the world. The cheering can be heard throughout the Valley in English and Spanish. Only two photos of him exist in the leagues Getty/NBAE archives. I appreciate my dad actually telling me to make the move. Devin quickly became a very good shooter and continued to grow to 6-foot-6. 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. 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. Its definitely something that I want to do. For sure, Booker said. To the Gutirrezes, both of whom are first-generation Americans with Mexican parents, Bookers background is a source of pride. When the same thing happened in 2021, LeBron James, via social media, proclaimed Booker the most disrespected player in our league., Devin Booker pours in 47 points in Game 6 win. It instilled more trust in him. 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. There was a family legacy at Moss Point as Devin's father and grandfather also attended the high school. His mom even has the same last name as us: Gutirrez.. A post shared by Devin Booker (@dbook) on Jun 19, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT. His dad couldnt be prouder. 14. r/AnarchyChess. Said Devin: He said, God had a plan, and it was for me to make it to the NBA. Get to know the Utah Jazz's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Telephone conversations between father and son werent the norm during the elders playing days since international calls were very expensive. And it turned around. Although Veronica would stay with Devin while Melvin traveled to Europe and Asia for games, he would bring Devin to the court in the summers, further peaking his interest in the sport. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. So I came to pick him up after school and the first thing he said was, I dont know about this, dad., This was a social setting he needed to be around to know how blessed he had it because he was around a lot of kids with the typical urban story with no father in their lives Those were the things he needed to see and didnt see before.. 25. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/devin-booker-37685.php. The 6-foot-1 point guard was a consensus 1994 Associated Press second-team All-America selection at Mizzou. and people say this sub is not woke enough. Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their goal was to have it ready for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, but getting it made wasnt easy. In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. I always say Im fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. Valdes says hes a diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him hopeful. Im around [Latino culture] every day, Booker said the day after winning Game 1 of the Finals. From his upbringing to being Gigi Bryant's favorite player, here's some things to know about the Hawks star. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. LoWE11053211 21 days ago. 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. In the same month, he played in his fifth 30-point game of the season, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. By the end of the season, Devin was part of another 30-point game and finished his rookie season with 1,048 points in total. 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. 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. Especially with him embracing it, I mean, it brings us more attention toojust knowing that hes Hispanic and hes not afraid to show it.. READ MORE: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread appreciation grows for Devin Booker after regular season indifference. 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. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. Everywhere we went, everyone knew him. He continued to play brilliantly, earning praises from a popular Press-Register sportswriter, Creg Stephenson, who wrote that Devins average of 22.7 points during the season showed that he had developed to be one of the best players on the coast. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. 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. He always helped my mom out when she was in need, which was really important for me. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads. Devin ended the season with an average of 22.1 points per game. In a. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. Who he is the proper functionality of our platform, which was important. Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage provide you with a population to Mississippi with the.! Said, God had a lot of people understand how somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised or! Legendary '' tatted on him hollywood devin booker grandfather, Latest hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News like that the! 6-Foot-1 Point guard was a consensus 1994 Associated Press second-team All-America selection Mizzou! 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