Devin Booker

Devin Booker

Devin Armani Booker (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and weighing 206 pounds (93 kg), Booker is widely regarded as one of the premier shooting guards in the world, known for his elite scoring ability, technical footwork, and playmaking vision.

A five-time NBA All-Star (2020–2022, 2024, 2026), Booker has spent his entire professional career with the Suns since being drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and led the team to the NBA Finals in 2021. Internationally, he has won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games.

Early Life

Booker was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Veronica Gutiérrez, a cosmetologist, and Melvin Booker, a professional basketball player. His father was the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year at the University of Missouri and played briefly in the NBA before a lengthy career in Europe and Asia. Booker’s parents met while Melvin was playing for the Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association.

Booker was raised in Grandville, Michigan, by his mother, while his father played overseas. During his summers, he often traveled to Italy to visit his father. He grew up with an older half-brother, Davon Wade, and a younger half-sister, Mya Powell, who has microdeletion syndrome, a condition Booker frequently cites as a source of motivation and perspective in his life.

High School Career

Booker attended Grandville High School for his freshman year before making the pivotal decision to move to Moss Point, Mississippi, to live with his father after Melvin retired from professional play. Under his father’s rigorous training, Booker blossomed at Moss Point High School.

As a sophomore, he averaged 22.7 points per game. By his junior year, he had become one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, averaging 29.7 points and being named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year. In his senior season, he averaged 30.9 points per game, finishing his three-year career at Moss Point with a school-record 2,518 points. He was selected as a McDonald’s All-American in 2014 and participated in the Jordan Brand Classic.

College Career (2014–2015)

Booker committed to the University of Kentucky, joining a powerhouse roster under coach John Calipari. In a unique situation, Booker never started a single game during his collegiate career, serving as the primary scoring threat off the bench for a team that featured several future NBA players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein.

Despite his reserve role, Booker’s impact was significant. He averaged 10.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.5 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 41.1% from three-point range. He helped lead the Wildcats to an undefeated 31-0 regular season and a trip to the Final Four, finishing with a 38-1 record. For his efforts, he was named:

• SEC Sixth Man of the Year
• Second-team All-SEC
• SEC All-Freshman Team

NBA Career

 

Phoenix Suns (2015–present)

The Phoenix Suns selected Booker with the 13th overall pick in 2015. As the league’s youngest player in his rookie season, he averaged 13.8 points and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

On March 24, 2017, Booker made history by scoring 70 points in a game against the Boston Celtics, becoming the youngest player to ever reach that mark and only the sixth player in NBA history to do so. He also won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2018 with a then-record 28 points in the final round.

The trajectory of Booker’s career shifted with the 2020 acquisition of Chris Paul. In the 2020-21 season, Booker led the Suns to a 51-21 record and their first NBA Finals appearance in nearly three decades. The following year, he led Phoenix to a franchise-record 64 wins, finished fourth in MVP voting, and was named to the All-NBA First Team.

In June 2025, Booker reached a monumental milestone by becoming the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing the long-standing record held by Walter Davis. Shortly after, on July 10, 2025, he signed a two-year, $145 million extension, ensuring he remains the face of the franchise through 2030.

National Team Career

Booker has been a staple of Team USA since 2021. He played a vital role in winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, joining the team just days after competing in the NBA Finals. He returned for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where coach Steve Kerr praised him as the team’s “unsung MVP” for his defensive versatility and selfless play alongside stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Booker is deeply involved in the Phoenix community through his “Devin Booker Starting Five” initiative, which has donated over $2.5 million to Arizona non-profits. Inspired by his sister Mya, he is a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics, frequently hosting clinics and advocating for people with intellectual disabilities. Off the court, Booker is known for his interest in classic cars and high-end fashion.