Devin Booker, born on October 30, 1996, is a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.
He was drafted 13th overall in 2015 after playing one season at the University of Kentucky.
Booker made history early in his career by scoring 70 points in a game against the Boston Celtics, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
Over the years, he has established himself as one of the league’s elite scorers and a cornerstone for the Suns.
In his tenth season with the team, Booker became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Walter Davis with over 15,667 career points.
He is a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection, playing a pivotal role in leading the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021.
On the international stage, he has represented Team USA and won gold medals at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
Parents
Devin is the only child of Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. He was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Melvin, a former professional basketball player, met Veronica while playing for the Continental Basketball Association’s Grand Rapids Hoops in the mid-1990s.
Although they never married, they co-parented Devin, with Veronica primarily raising him in Grandville, Michigan, while Melvin pursued his basketball career internationally.
Melvin played briefly in the NBA before moving to Europe, where he continued his professional career until 2008.
During Devin’s childhood, he spent summers with his father but primarily lived with his mother.
After his freshman year of high school, Devin moved to Moss Point, Mississippi, to live with Melvin and enhance his basketball skills.
Veronica Gutierrez is a cosmetologist of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. She played a crucial role in Devin’s upbringing and has been a source of support throughout his life.
Career
Booker entered the league as the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after a strong freshman season at the University of Kentucky.
Despite being one of the youngest players in his draft class, Booker quickly showcased his potential with his smooth shooting stroke and high basketball IQ, earning a starting role with the Phoenix Suns early in his rookie season.
Booker truly broke out during his second year in the league (2016-17), when he made history by scoring 70 points in a game against the Boston Celtics.
This performance made him the youngest player ever to achieve such a feat and cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic scorers.
Over the next few seasons, he continued to develop into a franchise cornerstone for the Suns, increasing his scoring averages year by year.
By the 2019-20 season, Booker was averaging over 26 points per game and had become one of the most feared offensive players in the NBA, thanks to his ability to score from anywhere on the court.
His consistent excellence earned him his first NBA All-Star selection in 2020, followed by multiple All-Star appearances in subsequent years.
In 2022, he was named to the All-NBA First Team, solidifying his place among the league’s elite players.
Booker’s rise coincided with the resurgence of the Phoenix Suns as a competitive team.
The highlight of his career came during the 2020-21 season when he led the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.
Although they fell short against the Milwaukee Bucks, Booker’s playoff performances proved he could thrive under pressure and perform on basketball’s biggest stage.
In addition to his NBA success, Booker has excelled on the international stage.
He represented Team USA at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paris 2024 Olympics, winning gold medals in both tournaments.
As of February 2025, Booker is widely regarded as one of the best shooting guards in NBA history.
He holds numerous franchise records for the Phoenix Suns, including becoming their all-time leading scorer.
