I think I gained kind of a following there.. This city deserves it, Booker said. But it was also quite challenging to build a relationship with his son from afar despite a couple of visits overseas. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his son better, too. Booker would like to lean into that by learning to speak Spanish. But Booker says it was here in Phoenix where he first experienced the Mexican culture. He ended up meeting Devins mother, Veronica, when he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers in the 1995-1996 CBA season. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. Booker has said in the past that this has been much easier for him to do in Phoenix, a city with a population. 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago Stuntin like his daddy: How Devin Bookers father paved his path to the NBA. Devin ended the season with an average of 22.1 points per game. Melvin Booker, his African-American father, played for the Continental Basketball Association Grand Rapids Mackers during the 1995-96 season. In June 2015, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin Booker said. 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. Devin Booker may be known as a professional basketball player, but it turns out his parents, Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez, also have impressive careers. Since Melvin was playing basketball overseas most of his life, the one-on-one that he got with his father was good for him.. It was special. And for those who are fans already, well, its as Ochoa would say, cereza encima del pastel. Cherry on top of the cake. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Media reports claim that while in college, he had had many affairs. Kendall and Devin rekindled their two-year romance last month following a short-lived breakup. It wasnt long ago that the radio broadcaster was calling games in Spanish for a 19-win team in a nearly empty building. Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. I was with the Rockets for the minute. From 1997-2008, Melvin Booker made a living playing most notably in Italy with stints in Turkey and Russia. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. 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. 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. 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. He stated that he fully . He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. I also wanted him to be more of a role model to the kids to show that they could make it out of there. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. READ MORE: D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Widespread appreciation grows for Devin Booker after regular season indifference. He found the Blazer in Utah and dubbed it "Uncle Larry.". Most people have been doing that all their kids life. If you have a dream and you have the work ethic to match that dream, anything is possible.. A lot of them, at that point, didnt know that Booker was of Mexican descent, Ochoa said. I dont look back on that. Its unheard of for a player of the year in his conference and a second-team All-American to go undrafted for reasons I dont even know today. When I dropped my son off at school, it was the first time, and he was 15 years old, Melvin Booker said. Now shes a diehard fan who makes a point to go to the players entrance before every game to welcome the team. 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. Melvin Booker averaged 28 points as a senior at Moss Point High and signed with the University of Missouri. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. "I usually keep it Chevy, you know . Spin: Booker led the Suns in . I was fortunate enough to have a dad that was basically a blueprint for me, Devin said. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. Devin visited his father during his summer holidays, in Moss Point, Mississippi, a place that had a significant black population. They needed the painting in five hours for a Fathers Day gift. Phoenixs diversity hasnt made it immune from Arizonas complicated relationship with Latinos (especially those who have immigrated to the country). Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). Devin Booker got "Be Legendary" tatted on him. Devin Booker, 70 points - March 24, 2017. If you just acknowledge it from that perspective, then, then maybe it is OK to make it a bigger deal.. 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. As a father, hed do anything I wanted to do. But Melvin Booker said the relationship and bond grew so much closer during his sons three years at Moss Point. In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. Of course, her being my mother, she said, Just let me know when [youre] coming back. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Family has always been first and foremost in Bookers life and seeing that embracement of family values within the Hispanic community has only helped Booker admire and connect to his ancestry. I still have mixed feelings about it, Gutierrez wrote. Veronica is a Mexican-American and her father was born in Mexico. To the Gutirrezes, both of whom are first-generation Americans with Mexican parents, Bookers background is a source of pride. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. 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. Its helped me out a lot, he said. Bookers rise from 18-year-old rookie to two-time All-Star has ushered in a new era for the Suns. At first, just being out of your comfort zone was a thing for me. On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. The split came as a surprise to many considering Devin's attendance at Kourtney Kardashian's wedding to Travis Barker. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. Symbolic start: After being drafted 13th overall, Bookers NBA debut took place in Phoenix on Oct. 28, 2015. This particular remark carries special significance for Ochoa. It takes a powerful woman to do that. Who Is Melvin Booker? 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. Devin spent his early years in Grandville, Michigan, which was a suburb of Grand Rapids. For those who arent fans, Bookers heritage may be what finally draws them in. 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. Grandville was a town that was dominated by its white population. Devin once ran into controversy when he asked a fans girlfriend to sit on his lap. Sometimes I would go up to [Michigan] to watch him. 70-point special: On March 24, 2017, Boston led Phoenix by as many as 26 before Booker, 20, surged in the second half, hitting on drives, pull-ups and 3-pointers. Booker was always aware of his Mexican heritage but never felt a strong desire to delve into that side of his background until he lost his Papa. The 2014 McDonalds All-American selection averaged 30.9 points per game in his senior season. Some of my favorite times as a child was my mom whipping up, you know, original Mexican dishes that she learned from her father or when we got the chance to visit my grandpa on the weekend.. And he drove a 1959 Impalawhich he later said was named Pretty Pennyto Game 1 of the Finals. 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. Said Devin: He said, God had a plan, and it was for me to make it to the NBA. He believed that his relationship with his son would grow, too, if he finally had him by his side. Booker was too young to fully understand the significance of the visits, since communications with his grandfather, Jesus Gutierrez, were stunted by a language barrier Devin spoke no Spanish, Papa got by with some broken English. Moreover, Devin has always appreciated this fact since being drafted by Phoenix . I had to convince them that he had to move to Mississippi if he wanted to move to that next level, Melvin Booker said. For sure, Booker said. It's not one culture. He averaged 13.8 points per game. That didnt stop him from shooting 41.1% from 3-point range in the Wildcats march to the Final Four. Please enter a valid email and try again. I didnt tell him at all, but I called my mom that night telling her that I might be back soon. Huh, I thought Gary Trent was Luka Doncic father. 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. Devin Bookers Dating History: All About His 2-Year Romance With Kendall Jenner & Past Loves. Booker's traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. Theyve been Suns fans since they were little and growing up in South Phoenix, and they have faint memories of the Steve Nashled teams of the mid-2000s, as well as fresher memories of the Suns drafting and building a team around Devin Booker. As Booker has become more outspoken about his heritage, he has begun to see the younger Hispanic community embrace him as an inspiration and reach out to him to show their support and admiration. His grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico where he and his family stayed for decades. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. If youre Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too, So, just trying to inspire in that type of way and keep representing the heritage. 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.. Try a week on us. Everything we did was competitive, Devin Booker said. Im in a position where Im coming into now, where I understand how important it is. I think that had a lot to do with being around people like that for the first time. After his freshman year, he joined six Kentucky teammates by entering the 2015 NBA draft. He's just not. While going back to Michigan did get strong consideration, Devin Bookers perseverance not only led to an NBA career but also a close bond with father. 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. 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. 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. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Im finally to the age where I realize I can ask questions and shes breaking it all down to me, Booker, 23, said. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. While the first part of his debut season with the Phoenix Suns was above average at best, the second part turned out to be much better. He is the only child of former professional basketball star Melvin Booker, who is Devin's father. Also, being the support for your family and being the backbone of your family and how important that is.. 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. Whenever Melvin traveled to other countries for his games, the fatherson duo would communicate through e-mails. It instilled more trust in him. Get to know the Utah Jazz's young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Everyone loved him.. My journey and my path, I hope it opens up something in their minds to let them know that they're capable of doing exactly what I've done, Booker said. 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. The former Kentucky Wildcat didnt start a single game and averaged just 21.5 minutes in his lone collegiate season. You have people from all over with extreme talent. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, INTERACTIVE RADAR: Tracking winter storm in Arizona. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Who the f is this guy lmao. Unfortunately, the NBA teams didnt love Melvin Booker during the 1994 NBA draft. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. I was with my family back home. 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