devin booker grandfather

On multiple occasions he has referenced the cultures strong family ties, something he has inherited and embraced in his own life. Did you get extra shots up? Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 22 and Chris Paul added 18 for Phoenix. The preservation of a basketball legacy strengthened Melvin Bookers relationship with his son. Only two photos of him exist in the leagues Getty/NBAE archives. Four seasons later, Booker became the Suns first All-Star since Nash. I think growing up, were usually in one part of the country, one region, the Midwest, West Coast kids, or from the south. In April 2015, Devin decided to let go of the remaining years of college and signed up for the NBA draft. 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. 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. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. But I had many conversations with my dad. My draft night was one of the worst nights ever, Melvin Booker said. That's something that's been with me in my blood since birth.. His voice rings into his microphone as Booker hits a tough shot, which Ochoa describes in detail before punctuating the play with his go-to description for the Suns star: El hombre con herencia hispana! The man with Hispanic heritage. He was always shooting with correct form.. Just because it was a Mexican thing, Lugo said, some places just said no right away, and they gave me a weird look.. He spent the summers with his father in the latters hometown of Moss Point, Mississippi, a predominantly black town with around 13,000 people that also had its share of crime and poverty issues. 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. Devin averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior despite being double- and triple-teamed during the 2013-14 season at Moss Point. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Booker returned in 2018 and won the contest, besting Thompson with a record 28 points in the final round. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. With this, he became the third player in NBA history to achieve the feat. But now, Ochoa is almost levitating as he calls an NBA Finals game surrounded by a deafening crowd. Mexican blood like you? Ochoa said in Spanish. Booker is introduced last among the starters during Suns games; he gets the loudest cheers, and his jerseys are ubiquitous. Thats part of the reason I grind so much, Devin Booker said. Devin initially refused to go to Mississippi. This is exactly what Lugo was hoping to do when he commissioned the flag: He wanted to represent, and to let other Suns fans know about Bookers heritage. The son of former basketball player Melvin Booker, [3] Devin is a three-time NBA All-Star and helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals 2021. But Booker says it was here in Phoenix where he first experienced the Mexican culture. This season was to mark his fifth appearance in the competition before ultimately pulling out due to injury. Now, with Booker on the team, they have something even more singular to cheer for: an NBA superstar who, at least in one way, is actually like them. In an interview with Undefeated, Melvin credited her for helping him continue his sport. Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker appear to be taking their relationship to the next level after a recent video showed the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star meeting Devin's grandmother. The couple did not marry but remained on good terms. In his first seven Summer League games, Devin averaged more than 15 points per game and proved his mettle. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Thats how she ended up at a Suns game a few years ago on Latino Night and found out about Bookers heritage. Devin Booker 2015-16 Panini Complete Rookie RC #296 Phoenix Suns Pre-Owned $20.00 Seller: matts_cardz (12,281) 100% Buy It Now +$4.95 shipping Sponsored 2015-16 Panini Gold Standard DEVIN BOOKER RC Jersey /149 BGS 9 w/ 10 AUTO RPA $349.95 Seller: meets2 (955) 99.6% or Best Offer +$3.95 shipping Authenticity Guarantee 13 watchers Sponsored My favorite part about being Mexican is the culture and being a part of the heritage, Booker said. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. 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. I remember him as a little kid and all he talked about is that he wanted to be a professional basketball player, Melvin Booker said. 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. Kobe wrote the same message on the KOBE XI PEs he gave Book in 2016 , (via @DevinBook, h/t Sneakercenter/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/D1jgnhcPXs, Peer approval: Bookers arrival as a star may have been a foregone conclusion. After his first day of high school in Mississippi, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker had his dad quite worried that he was going to pack his bags to go back to Michigan. But Melvin Booker said the relationship and bond grew so much closer during his sons three years at Moss Point. The 24-year-old Lugo had the one of the most coveted pieces of memorabilia in the house: a custom-made Mexican flag with a Suns logo in place of the shield, and Bookers face plastered on a prayer candle. He ended up meeting Devins mother, Veronica, when he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers in the 1995-1996 CBA season. While Devin grew up, his fathers lifestyle influenced him greatly. "I'm not going to say it's easy, there's going to be a lot of ups and downs, but just knowing it's possible. I shared a locker room with [Hakeem] Olajuwon, [Clyde] Drexler and Sam Cassell.. Get to know them better here. The law was eventually partially struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012, but the situation in the state is still contentious. Bookers former coach in Phoenix, Earl Watson, shares a similar background with his maternal grandparents hailing from Mexico. Gutierrez allowed Booker, then 12, to visit his father one spring break in Milan, where the son played one-on-one with a future pro in Danilo Gallinari and showed the potential of being a special player. 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. By Vrushali Padia Published Mar 19, 2022. The Lakers legend laughed about that sequence in postgame comments to the media, but he shared a private moment with Booker himself. After averaging at least 25 points over the last four seasons, he averaged 29.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 5.0 apg while shooting 48.8% overall and 42.9% from 3-point range in his playoff debut and Phoenixs 4-2 series victory against the Lakers the franchises first series win since 2010. He averaged 13.8 points per game. Devin Booker said he owes his mom the world for allowing him to depart to Mississippi and primarily raising him beforehand. Veronica is a Mexican-American and her father was born in Mexico. 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. Especially with him embracing it, I mean, it brings us more attention toojust knowing that hes Hispanic and hes not afraid to show it.. Devin had the kind of relationship with him that was distant but you always knew he was there, Bookers mother wrote in an email. With Devin Booker falling in love with basketball as a child, he had an easy role model to follow in his father. From influencing his love of basketball, to showing him how to build a strong relationship, his folks are definitely a part of his success story. I gave it some time. LoWE11053211 21 days ago. Ahead of Game 6 of the Lakers series, Booker drove a Grand National to Staples Center. He's just not. You drive around the city, you look into the stands at the game and you see it. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, David Robinson, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor and Kobe Bryant as the only ones to score that many points in a single game. Hed let them have the seats he got in his contract and then try to help them fall in love with Booker. His grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, right near the Texas border. 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. His maternal grandfather was born in Mexico but migrated to Michigan. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. He made the 2016 NBA all-rookie first team, quickly earned a reputation as one of the NBAs top shooters and is the Suns leading scorer. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. From 1997-2008, Melvin Booker made a living playing most notably in Italy with stints in Turkey and Russia. Gerardo was at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport two weeks ago when the team returned from Los Angeles after clinching a Finals berth, and he recalls fans chanting Si se puede (Yes, we can) as the players walked through. You have people from all over with extreme talent. If you count him as a Mexican, which Im going to do and I think a lot of us will, hes the best Mexican basketball player ever, said Mike Vigil, a third-generation Mexican American who hosts a Suns podcast called The Timeline. My Mexican culture has taught me a lot about myself. It ended up being one of the best decisions Ive ever made. Devin visited Missouri twice, but his dad says he didnt pressure him to go there. Devin and his father were around each other daily for the first time. Melvin Booker averaged 28 points as a senior at Moss Point High and signed with the University of Missouri. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads. Playoff ready: Any questions about how Bookers scoring would translate to the postseason were answered swiftly. Jarred Vanderbilt is Devin Booker's grandfather. The split came as a surprise to many considering Devin's attendance at Kourtney Kardashian's wedding to Travis Barker. Lugo, who had draped the flag around his back, was trying to get to his seats in the 200 level, but he kept getting interrupted by people asking to take a picture of the flag. When I was a kid, I was always on the go, either outside playing basketball or something, so when it was time when my mom wanted to go to the other side of Michigan to hang with my Mexican side of the family, it wasnt really a priority for me. Off the bench: Bookers star status was built on a bench players foundation in college. PHOENIX Phoenix Suns' number one player Devin Booker is an inspiration to many people, but here in the Valley of the Sun, Booker has added a special moment of pride to the Latino community. The city I grew up in and the high school was predominantly black. Melvin Booker also believed that his son would be much taller than him. 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. In June 2015, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick. Phoenixs diversity hasnt made it immune from Arizonas complicated relationship with Latinos (especially those who have immigrated to the country). Im ready for you. But I stayed because of the mindset I had my whole life was just never giving up. Devin was born to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has paid off: Booker shot 52.5% and averaged 1.08 points per post-up possessions this season, making him the 10th most efficient player in the league with at least 50 such possessions. Watched sports together. and people say this sub is not woke enough. So hes won the people of Phoenix over, especially the Latino community.. 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. Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. Like father, like son, Melvin was also a basketball player at the University of Missouri. 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. I wasnt going to make the decision for him.. Even after having a really long playoff run, Devin Booker wasn't . Gutierrez and her son said yes before his sophomore season. The Suns cut the deficit to 10 before ultimately falling 130-120, but not before Booker became the youngest player in league history to hit the 70-point mark. 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. The supermodel enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with the NBA player where she was introduced to some of his hometown roots. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. I dont look back on that. Devins mother is Victoria Gutirrez, a Mexican-American who has two other children. After being cut by the Atlanta Hawks in training camp, Booker played five games with the Denver Nuggets and 16 games with the Golden State Warriors during the 1996-97 season. Who Is Melvin Booker? The lack of representation within the league has encouraged Booker to carry the mantle for people of Mexican heritage. I was fortunate enough to have a dad that was basically a blueprint for me, Devin said. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. However, Melvin managed to convince Devins mother, and Devin was soon enrolled at Moss Point High School, where Melvin was hired as an assistant coach. So I think with the team that we have, the culture that we have, that coach Monty has put together, this is the best position that weve been in since Ive been here, to make those dreams and aspirations come to life. In a March 2018 game against Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 39 points. Booker is the son of Veronica Gutierrez and Melvin Booker. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Davon is the eldest brother of an American basketball player Devin Booker who plays for Phoenix Suns. 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. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better, said Booker. Devin grew up in Grandville, Michigan, a predominantly white town of about 15,000 people that is a suburb of Grand Rapids. 291. Related: 2K 38 Waru_ 1 day ago Weve already felt the need to defend him for five or six years, because of the trajectory of his career and the way he was talked about early on, Vigil said. One of them shows the elder Booker then playing for the Golden State Warriors driving against, you guessed it, the Phoenix Suns. It was all his decision, Melvin Booker said. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen, Melvin Booker said. 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). I dont think a lot of people understand how somebody from Alabama or Mississippi was raised. And it seems as if things have gotten serious to the point where Devin Booker, 24, wanted his supermodel girlfriend Kendall Jenner, 25, to meet his grandma in Moss Point, Mississippi . The elder Booker was the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year at the University of Missouri and a former professional basketball player. Devin Booker is rumored to be dating Kendell Jenner. Devin Booker was born to play basketball as his father is a former professional basketball player. 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. 13 overall pick to leading superstar for the Phoenix Suns. 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. Oops. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Valdes says hes a diehard Suns fan, so finding out about Devin Bookers Mexican roots made him hopeful. Except this one is not based on just loyalty and winning, but also heritage. Going through it and playing at that level, I just told him all the pros and cons of all the schools that were recruiting him It was a decision that he was going to have to make and live with. A couple of things that I learned from my grandfather were about the hard work and dedication to a craft. Kendall and Devin rekindled their two-year romance last month following a short-lived breakup. It was special. I got to see the guys like Michael Jordan play up close, Melvin Booker said. I was with my family back home. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Im definitely going to rep that side of my heritage, always., (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images). They decided to forgo. I appreciate my dad actually telling me to make the move. He played for the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams during his freshman year at Grandville High School in Michigan instead of joining his dad. Get to know the Phoenix Suns' young superstar with these 10 interesting factoids about his life and career. Latin-American ambassador: Booker's maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Nogales, Mexico, a fact Booker has grown to. A grandfather and two granddaughters died in a DUI crash . The 19-year-old rookie acquitted himself well, reaching the final round before ultimately losing to Klay Thompson. I guess he has 2 dads. If you're Mexican and you made it to the NBA, I can too, Booker said. I think this is a beautiful time to embrace our culture and love it with a passion, Devin Booker said. He finished his three-year career as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,518 points. 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, 'You're my favorite player. Booker has this charisma that people connect with, Ochoa said. However, the matter did not do much damage to his career. 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. With Booker being Hispanic, I think it just opens the eyes to our culture around our Hispanic heritage, Lugo said. To let you know, Devin's maternal grandfather was one of the immigrants from Nogales, Mexico. Luka Doncic is Devin Booker father. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. This is a good life here in the NBA. Who the f is this guy lmao. Imagine the pride of having your team have a guy score 40 points in a playoff game, and he has Latino blood? Ever since he was 8 months old he was coming with me in the summertime. Booker is now able to reflect on some of his most memorable moments growing up, many of which share close Mexican ties with his family. 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. Now, with the Suns winning and Bookers background gaining prevalence, Ochoa has noticed an increased interest from Latinos around the cityand even from new fans in Mexico. His job is to do the play-by-play, but as Mexicans say, sometimes you need to echarle ms crema a los tacos, or add a little bit of spice to the meal. Melvin Booker, however, believed that Moss Point High would benefit from his sons presence on and off the court. While in high school, Devin exhibited his remarkable sporting talent. A native of Cananea, Sonora, a city four and a half hours south of Phoenix in Mexico, Ochoa has been calling Suns games since 2004. 15 days ago. When I was drafted by Phoenix, I finally got to see the Hispanic culture around me for the first time in my life, Booker said. They needed the painting in five hours for a Fathers Day gift. I think that had a lot to do with being around people like that for the first time. Devin Armani Booker was born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was tough, Devin Booker said. That was the only reason I put Devin there. The 13-time All-Star, who was dealt to Phoenix on Feb. 9, has not played in a game since Jan. 8 when he was with the Nets. Sometimes I would go up to [Michigan] to watch him. Read Kevin OConnors grades of every first-round pick. Gerardo can rattle off facts about Booker like hes a walking Wikipedia page: Bookers mom is Mexican American, and his grandfather was born in Los Nogales, Mexico, a town near the Texas border. The love was always there. Devin played basketball with his dad and his friends. 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. The 6-foot-1 point guard was a consensus 1994 Associated Press second-team All-America selection at Mizzou. The Suns wear Noches neBA Nike City Edition uniforms with Los Suns across the chest and Somos PHX near the size tag at the bottom of the jersey. Vigil said he didnt think that the uniforms felt like pandering; rather, it was finally merchandise that represented the largest demographic in Phoenix. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Booker had never visited his grandfather's 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. 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. 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. The idea for the flag came during an Xbox night between Lugo and his friends right after the Suns swept the Nuggets in the second round. I think for those of us that are Hispanic, there is even another layer to that. He ended up at the fourth spot in the race for the 2016 Rookie of the Year award. Booker 's parents met while father Melvin played semi-professional basketball for the local. Me taking my visits from Missouri from eighth grade on, just the love that he got there is something that Ive never seen before. He met Veronica while mining a minor-league route to the league with the Grand Rapids Mackers of the Continental Basketball Association. We all had an understanding that it would be the best decision for me reaching my dreams. With family being the most important thing to me, its also very embraced in the Mexican culture. Let these kids know that, especially with the NBA today, it's not one race. 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.. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, who is serving a 25-game suspension for getting caught using a diuretic. Me knowing Devin, hes going to continue to work hard and continue to try to get better.. Devin soon started attending Grandville High School, and Melvin retired from professional basketball to stay closer to his son. Its helped me out a lot, he said. It's Los Suns for a reason, right? . Its hard to explain. Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sometimes I would call and ask him, What did you do after practice? After his freshman year, he joined six Kentucky teammates by entering the 2015 NBA draft. A shooting guard, Booker received a star status after being the 13th overall draft and being selected by Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker was born on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. You could walk the same hallways, be a good kid and fulfill your dreams. Devin Booker's sister, Mya Powell, has always been in the limelight for her bond with the NBA player. A post shared by Devin (@dbook) Booker's collection features a first-generation Chevy Blazer with a lowered stance, top removed and a blue patina exterior. Booker's grandfather immigrated from Nogales, Mexico, to Michigan where the 2020 All-Star ultimately grew up. Middleton found Lopez for the go-ahead basket with 24.8 seconds remaining. It takes a powerful woman to do that. His father played professional basketball in the NBA and overseas, and Booker spent his summers in Italy when his father was playing for Olimpia Milano. In a November match against Montana State, Devin scored a season-high 18 points. 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. After splitting from Melvin, Veronica went on to have her third child, daughter Mya Powell, who reportedly has chromosome 22 deletion syndrome. Devin Booker got "Be Legendary" tatted on him. Devin Booker, 25, has made quite the impression on the basketball court as part of the Phoenix Suns, and it seems his skill and hard work runs in the family. 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. At the time, I was treating it as going away to prep school and my father was going to be there training me. In a downtown Phoenix alley, sandwiched between two streets named after U.S. presidents, stands a snapshot of the citys Latino culture. The Latino community says they will stand behind him. I was with the Rockets for the minute. I am a very proud father and I know my son is living his dream. 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. Gary Trent Jr is Kawhi Leonard Wife. Doctor said it wouldnt be his best work, but hed do it. Devin Booker spends his sprawling $26.6 million fortune to live a lavish life. 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. 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. Now, shes his biggest fan. He stated that he fully . In the next game, Devin scored 19 points against TexasArlington to set a new season-high score. Latino fans, in particular, lit up when they saw it. Now, Booker routinely quizzes his mother on their family history, hoping that she shares some knowledge on his past that can inspire his future. I think just seeing that, I understand where they come from, their mannerisms and how they carry themselves., Being in Phoenix, a bustling metropolis with a lot of transplants, has also stoked the curiosity of his background given its proximity to Mexico. 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. You have the same issues and same problems you have at most urban schools. I felt like and thought I would be drafted. Melvin Booker also thought the fast-paced, trash-talking and tough style of basketball would make his . He began his standout basketball career at Moss Point High School .

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