Booker’s journey to the NBA started with one decision that bring him to Phoenix Suns

One decision can have a significant impact on a career. Suns star Devin Booker’s came the summer after his freshman year of high school.

He relocated 1,000 miles from Grandville, Michigan, to Moss Point, Mississippi, to live with his father.

“Culture shock for me,” Booker explained.

Booker has certainly excelled at adapting. The 13th pick in the 2015 NBA draft and third guard overall has developed as one of the most promising young players in Arizona basketball history.

He has been a strong player among his draft class peers, ranking second only to top choice and Timberwolves center Karl Anthony Towns in terms of points per game and minutes. Booker has thrived in two-plus seasons on a Suns team that is 66-164 and ranks ninth in points per game (25.2), maturing faster than anyone expected.

“We thought Devin would be an impact player over time, but he has outperformed our expectations for him at this point in his career,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said. “We felt he would eventually be very successful but we would be lying if we said that we expected him to become one of the most productive young players in NBA history.”

It’s hard to imagine Booker wasn’t always expected to make it this far. One decision altered everything.

That decision occurred in the summer of 2011, when Booker relocated from his mother’s home in Michigan to his father’s in Mississippi. Melvin Booker, a standout player at Missouri who had a long professional career abroad, advocated for the relocation to assist his kid grow. He admits he felt like a college coach as he attempted to persuade Devin’s mother, Veronica Gutiérrez, to make the life-altering decision.

“At first they were against this and I understand, mom didn’t want to send her son away from her for the next three years,” Melvin went on to say. “But once I convinced him that this was the step he needs to do, to come down there and work the way you need to work to fulfill his dreams, he was all for it.”

It was a difficult decision for Gutiérrez. Devin spent the majority of his youth with her as Melvin traveled the world playing basketball. Despite never marrying, the pair worked together to raise Devin. She eventually agreed, and the relationship between mother and son remained strong.

“It didn’t change,” Devin replied. “There’s still Facetime. I used to speak to her every day. I used to visit her in Michigan throughout the summer. It was a difficult decision for her. She often says now that she didn’t want me to go, but it turned out to be a good decision.”

Initially, the shift was difficult.

“Whole different environment, going to a suburban school to … more of an inner city school (and) moving away from all my childhood friends, family, it was all new to me,” said Devin. “But it was a decision I made and I dealt with it and I think it helped me grow up and it had a big impact (on) the position I’m in.”

Devin was able to spend more time with his father, who now works as an assistant coach at Moss Point High School. Melvin had a variety of experience, having played in the NBA briefly before moving on to international leagues in Italy, Turkey, and Russia.

The two soon connected.

“We kicked it right off,” Devin remarked. “Became my best friend, guy I go to for anything and you know, we both love the game of basketball so I feel like that’s where our relationship took off.”

The relocation was not just about rekindling the relationship, but also about improving Devin’s game and assisting him in manipulating the club ball scene.

“He know all the tricks and traits of the games,” he went on to say. “Where I think a lot of young kids are talented, kind of get taken advantage of nowadays if they don’t have guidance, (having) someone that’s around them that knows what’s going on — you have a bunch of AAU coaches trying to get to you, agents that deal with high school players now — and having a father that has been through it all, kept all that away from me.”

Devin’s growth was expedited by the change of surroundings, which allowed him to learn from his father’s game experiences.

“He was getting it at 14, 15 years old so and he’s a very intelligent kid so he’s picking up on those things, never complained one bit, he was just like a sponge,” Melvin went on to say.

Devin stated that his smooth transition to the NBA was due in large part to his expertise.

“Spending extra time in the gym, hour before practice, hour after practice that I really didn’t understand,” Devin went on to say. “I was just a tremendously talented kid, so I believe that putting in the extra effort and grinding brought me to where I am today.

“When I relocated with my father, everything revolved around basketball, which is exactly what I wanted. We would watch games even when I wasn’t on the floor. “We’d watch games together, and he’d stop and replay them as if we were in a film session, so it was all about basketball.”

When Melvin sees Devin on the court, he remembers the small kid who dribbled the ball around the house and aspired to play in the NBA.

“Just to watch him go out there and have the success he’s had so early in his career, it’s just mind-boggling right now,” said Melvin. “But I know he works extremely hard and he wants it and his IQ is so high and you know, sky’s the limit for him.”

Devin stated that he is intent on improving and transforming the organization into a “winning franchise.”

Taking his trade seriously and understanding the game allowed him to make tremendous progress from Year One to Year Three. Interim coach Jay Triano has observed the changes, particularly on the defensive side.

“He’s a lot more focused at the defensive end and I think that’s helped his overall game awareness,” Trainer said.

He is without defects.

“Strength, the strength to be able to continue to play the minutes that we need him to play because we expect him to be on the floor a lot,” he said. “I think he’s a dynamic player and the better shape he’s in, the more he can stay on the floor and I think that’s (maybe the) key, getting stronger to withstand guys that are trying to be physical with him and not let him get the ball or trying to direct where they want him to go.”

Booker has been through some of the franchise’s roughest times, including coaching changes, failed free agency pursuits, and several losses.

A considerable number of outstanding performers have left the organization. Eric Bledsoe famously tweeted that he wanted to leave the Suns, and he got his wish in mid-November when he was traded to Milwaukee. Isaiah Thomas was signed in free agency before being traded to Boston in the middle of the season. He was also pleased to depart, telling Boston Globe reporter Adam Himmelsbach, “It’s like they gave me a Christmas gift by sending me away.”

Some supporters believe Booker may depart Phoenix for greener pastures. McDonough has stated that the organization plans to be proactive in free agency and wants to accelerate the rebuilding process.

Booker has two years remaining on his contract, with 2018 being a team option. After the season, the Suns can offer him a contract extension.

Is this enough to keep Devin here? According to AzCentral in October, Booker stated that he “would love to sign an extension” with the organization if one is provided next summer.

“I’ve been treated right from the day I was drafted, even when I was a rookie and didn’t play much,” he told ESPN. “The city of Phoenix welcomed me with open arms and made me a member of their family. I learned the team’s history and traditions. I know how much the city cares about the franchise, and it means a lot to me to play somewhere where people care about it.

“I love it here, I bought a house here and I intend to be here for a long time.”

That was in October. When asked on February 9th if he expected to sign his extension straight away, Devin shattered the mammoth glacier of Suns concern by remarking, “That’s a lot of money” and followed it with some laughing.

“I don’t know,” Devin replied. “When that time comes, guy, I’ll just take it day by day, but for now, I’m focused on my task at hand. That’s turning this thing around and transforming our team into a winning unit.”

Booker, 21, has already had some Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant-like performances, scoring 70 points in one game and making clutch jumpers to either force OT or win.

“I’m trying to build my own (legacy),” he went on to say. “But at the same time, being mention with those guys you know, two of the best to ever do it, it’s unbelievable company, I’d be blessed, fortunate enough to be mentioned with those names at the end of my career but like I said, I try to be the best and I think that’s what they did in their career also.”