![]() ![]() Melvin tried to convince Devin to join Moss Point High School because he felt that it would benefit his career. He declined a one-year extension offered by the Armani Jeans Milano so he could return to America to train Devin. ![]() Melvin retired in 2008 and returned to his alma mater Moss Point High School as an assistant coach. As he grew, he eventually convinced his mom to let him visit Melvin in Europe. “Imagine the pride of having your team have a guy score 40 points in a playoff game, and he has Latino blood? Mexican blood like you? Imagine how I have to paint that picture over the airwaves so that those who listen to us who are Mexican, so that they can feel proud of a guy who shares their blood being an NBA star and who might be the most important player in the city since Larry Fitzgerald.” Devin’s father taught him to use intelligence as well as athleticism to get ahead of the gameĭevin naturally took an interest in basketball due to his father. He talked to The Ringer about his appreciation of Devin’s Latino roots. Suns radio broadcaster Arturo Ochoa is one of Devin’s loudest fans. Being able to touch those types of communities in this area makes all this that much better.”īeing one of only two active NBA players with a Mexican heritage has earned Booker many admirers. “I always say I’m fortunate enough to live around it, see it around the stands, and see it around the city. “I’m around every day,” Booker said after a game. He stated that he fully appreciated his Latino heritage after joining the Phoenix Suns. Having the support from your mother like that it’s unbelievable.” Devin fully appreciated his Latino heritage after joining the Phoenix Sunsīooker’s traces his Latino roots back to his maternal grandfather, who was born in a border town named Nogales in Mexico. “She really cared for me, and never really cared about basketball, as long as I was happy. He credits his mom for allowing him to build a relationship with Melvin. I can only imagine how it is across the water.”ĭevin and Melvin spent valuable time together during summers in Mississippi. But now that I’m a professional and I have been around this lifestyle, I understand how hard it is. “It was hard for me to understand then why we couldn’t communicate so much. Devin told Undefeated that he couldn’t understand why Melvin struggled to keep up constant communication, but his experience as an NBA player opened him up to a different perspective. Melvin tried as much as possible to keep in touch with Devin, but expensive international call rates and the time difference made communication difficult. He had stints in Russia, Turkey, and most notably Italy. About a year after Devin’s birth, Melvin decided to try out his luck in Europe. Melvin played in the NBA for the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors, but he feels that the teams didn’t give him enough time to prove his worth. ![]() It’s unheard of for a player of the year in his conference and a second-team All American to go undrafted for reasons I don’t even know today.” I felt like and thought I would be drafted. “My draft night was one of the worst nights ever. He told Undefeated that it was one of the most painful moments: Despite showing immense talent, Melvin was not selected in the 1994 NBA Draft. Their relationship spawned their only son Devin. He met Veronica as he played for the Grand Rapids Hoops in Veronica’s hometown of Grand Rapids. Melvin was a basketball player who’d made his name as a star point guard at the University of Missouri. Veronica is Puerto-Rican and Mexican American, and Melvin is African-American. Devin Booker was born on 30th October 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin Booker and Veronica Gutierrez. ![]()
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