Learn about Devin Booker’s biggest supporters Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez, have been by his side through all of his career highs

Devin Booker’s parents, Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez, have been by his side during all of his professional highlights.

Melvin and Veronica welcomed Devin on October 30, 1996, in Michigan. Throughout the NBA player’s upbringing and adolescence, the former couple, who never married, shared parenting responsibilities. Devin grew up with his mother in Grandville, Michigan, while his father pursued professional basketball as an NBA player in the late 1990s before playing in Europe until 2008.

Devin relocated to Moss Point, Mississippi, after his freshman year of high school to live with his father and work on his basketball talents. During a November 2016 interview with The Undefeated, the Phoenix Suns player discussed his mother’s choice to let him go away.

“For a mother to just let her son to live with a father she didn’t spend much time with… Devin remarked, “She raised me most of my life.” “It takes a strong lady to accomplish it. We all agreed that it would be the best thing for me to pursue my aspirations. that’s unfathomable that she would allow that to happen.

Devin did not spend much time with Melvin as a child, but he now considers him “one of his best friends” and an inspiration for his entire career. The athlete stated, “I was fortunate enough to have a father who was essentially a blueprint for me.”

Here’s everything you should know about Devin Booker’s parents, Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez.

Melvin and Veronica met in the 1990s

Melvin and Veronica met through their basketball careers. The couple met while he was playing for the Grand Rapids Mackers, a minor league basketball team, in the 1995-1996 Continental Basketball Association season, according to The Undefeated. The couple hit it off right away, and their son, Devin, was born soon after.

They welcomed Devin in October 1996.

Devin was born October 30, 1996, in Michigan. For much of his childhood, the NBA great lived in Grandville, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids, and spent summers with his father in Moss Point, Mississippi.

Melvin is a former NBA player.

Melvin was not taken in the 1994 NBA draft, but he advanced to the major levels after playing for various American minor league clubs. He made his NBA debut with the Houston Rockets in 1995-1996, then went on to play for the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors the following season. After a brief 32-game NBA career, he went overseas and played for teams in Italy, Turkey, and Russia.

He finally resigned in 2008 after declining an additional contract year in Italy, citing his son as the primary reason for his return to the United States.

Veronica has two other children.

Veronica, a cosmetologist, has two other children from prior marriages, Davon Wade and Mya Powell.

According to his Instagram, Davon is a Western Michigan University alumnus who works as a real estate broker in Arizona. He also serves on the board of directors for Phoenix Suns Charities, which contributes millions of dollars to Arizona organizations focused on basketball initiatives, job development, education, healthcare, and recreation.

Devin’s younger sister, Mya, has 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, often known as DiGeorge syndrome. Devin received the title of Special Olympics Global Ambassador in April 2020. In a statement, he said, “I’ve celebrated Mya’s accomplishments while also witnessing the challenges she’s faced as a person with intellectual disabilities.” She inspires me every day, and I am honored to be a member of Special Olympics, a global organization dedicated to raising awareness about the possibilities of persons with intellectual impairments.”

Melvin and Veronica have never married.

Melvin and Veronica have never wedded each other. Devin was co-parented by the couple, but owing to his father’s professional basketball career, Veronica spent more time with him as a child. In Devin’s interview with The Undefeated, Melvin praised Veronica for doing “a great job of keeping me connected” with Devin while his career took him abroad.

“She made it happen.” “I give her full credit for allowing that to happen,” he added. “He has been coming with me in the summer since he was eight months old. It was special. I was attempting to make up for the occasions I missed while I was away.”

Devin relocated to Mississippi as a teenager to live with his father.

Devin moved from Michigan to Mississippi following his freshman year of high school to live with his father there. Melvin told The Undefeated that it took a lot of convincing to get his son to leave his hometown, but the decision would eventually help him “move to that next level” in his basketball abilities. During a June 2015 interview with The Guardian, the former NBA player commented on the move, saying, “I had my time in Europe, and missed a lot in Devin’s life.”

“It wasn’t just about his game; it was about being a father,” he said. “It was an opportunity to catch up on missed time together and work on his basketball mental makeup – how to be a young man not only on the court but also off the court. And the transfer was crucial in his development into the player he is today.”

Devin described the shift as a “culture shock,” saying, “It was a big difference for me, but I adjusted well.” I believe I am culturally competent enough to fit into any workplace.”