L

ike father, like son, so they say. Devin Booker is following in the footsteps of his father, Melvin Booker, who played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA for the 1995-1996 season, and the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors during the 1996-1997 season.

He has, however, already exceeded his father’s career achievements.

Born on Oct. 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Booker was raised by his mother Veronica Gutiérrez while his father pursued his basketball career. However, their father-and-son bond remained knit-tight as little Booker was not only taught by his father to learn the game of basketball but also to develop his natural athletic ability.

He proved his status as a rising star of the future by winning the three-point contest on Saturday night at the Staples Center.

He set a new record of 28 points in the final round, missing only five of 25 shots.

“It’s a big deal, I’d say, knowing the history of the three-point shootout, all the legends of the game that have been in it from Peja Stojakovic, Larry Bird. I’m glad my name can be mentioned with those guys. But like I said, I’m happy to get the win,” he said after the contest.

“This time I just got here, practiced right before I went out there and ended up coming out with the win,” said Booker on his victory over 2016 champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tobias Harris.

“I thought I was going to be out, but it’s a wildcard with that rack, honestly. It’s hard to shoot off the rack, as you can see. These guys are much better shooters than we all shot today. So the rack’s difficult, but ended up coming out with the big win,” he commented on his rivals.

Booker did not hide his happiness about winning the trophy.

“I feel really good, really excited. Like I said, after I took third my rookie year, something I always wanted was to win the three-point championship, and I got to do it,” he added.

Booker attracted the attention of basketball fans after becoming the youngest player to score over 60 points in a game on March 24, 2017, finishing with 70 against the Boston Celtics.

His next personal goal? To join the dunk contest, he said jokingly.

“No, I’m just kidding. Obviously, hopefully I can come back and maybe win it again. But for me All-Star Weekend is a good time to get away from the season. Now it’s time to lock back in, get ready for the season, and finish out the year strong,” he said.

The Suns have never won the NBA championship title, despite reaching the finals twice and losing to the Boston Celtics in 1975/1976 and the Chicago Bulls in 1992/1993.

Hopes are high that Booker will be able to set more records, while Suns fans hope that includes winning the team’s first NBA championship title.
________________________

The Jakarta Post was invited by the NBA to attend the All-Star Weekend