Devin Booker of Team USA never expected to land with the Phoenix Suns at the 2015 NBA Draft. Instead, the four-time NBA All-Star believed he’d be on one of the teams in the Eastern Conference, namely the Miami Heat.
Booker spoke with D’Angelo Russell on “The Backyard Podcast“. He hoped he’d land on the Miami Heat as the tenth pick, utilizing his ability to shoot from deep. Devin believed that he fit better at Miami.
“Oh no, Miami is where I was hoping. Cause Miami was my best workout, then I remember Pat Riley came and did the interview, and he’s like, ‘We’re looking for a Klay Thompson-type player we need to up our shooting.’ I just shot 40 in college. I’m like, ‘Oh yeah.’ I’m looking at spots down there by the arena.”
During the 2015 NBA Draft, Devin Booker landed in the thirteenth spot, picked by the Phoenix Suns. Miami Heat, meanwhile, picked Justise Winslow. For him, the draft was just too overwhelming. Despite these unexpected events, Booker emerged as one of the Suns’ star players, nearly giving the team its first championship in 2022.
Booker has a more successful basketball career than Winslow, managing to be a member of the NBA All-Star four times, All-NBA First Team, and Third Team one time each, and win a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Winslow, meanwhile, never got any NBA achievements other than being in the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2016. He’s currently on the Raptors 905 in the NBA G League.
Last season, Booker started all games for the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. At the end of the season, the Suns landed in sixth place. Unfortunately, Minnesota immediately eliminated them in the first round of the Playoffs.
Booker is currently on the roster of Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He aims to win another gold medal in his basketball career.
Devin Booker is having a good performance in Paris
The Suns’ shooting guard displays some ball plays for veteran-filled Team USA. Kerr likes Devin Booker, as he was a starter in all of the USA’s matches in the group stage. The head coach had commended Devin’s versatility in both offense and defense.
Booker focuses on playing defense instead of his usual offense for Team USA. He might be on the starting lineup again in the next game against Brazil.
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