Growing up, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dreamed of becoming a Spartan.
The Grand Rapids native got a chance to take the Breslin Center floor on Tuesday, and he did it rocking green and white.
“A big nostalgia feeling,” Booker said after the Suns’ 105-97 preseason win over the Detroit Pistons.
The game was a result of collaboration between Suns owner Matt Ishbia and Pistons owner Tom Gores, who wanted to bring the NBA to their alma mater.
Booker, who ultimately played college ball at Kentucky, never lost touch with his home state team.
In fact, when he chose the Wildcats for school his father made him call each of the coaches that had offered him.
“Izzo was the hardest call to make,” Booker said. “But we still maintained a relationship … for him to still accept me around like that it showed a lot and showed what type of man he is.”
Booker is no stranger to wearing Spartans gear despite playing at Kentucky.
“It’s usually behind closed doors,” Booker said with a grin. “All my best friends went there. Even when I left Kentucky early they all spent their next three years here, so I’ve been around town. I’ve been to Harper’s. I’ve been to Rick’s.”
When he came out for warmups, Booker donned a white headband, a plain grey cut-off, Michigan State shorts and a new version of his signature shoe –– they were green and white with a gruff Sparty on the side.
The “Michigan State” Nike Book 1.
Phoenix’s Devin Booker (1) plays in the ‘Michigan State’ Nike Book 1 during a NBA preseason game between the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com
He wore the pair throughout the game.
Earlier in the day at Michigan State men’s basketball practice, Booker gave pairs to the basketball team.
“I actually had to speed up the process,” Booker said. “They were eventually coming throughout the season for the guys but I got on Nike because it’s always better to hand deliver them.”
Booker said the players were “geeked” when they opened the boxes.
“Coach Izz put them right on his feet and did practice in them,” Booker said. “They were super excited and didn’t know it was coming so the surprise always makes it better.”
Michigan State will be a team on Booker’s watchlist this year, after seeing their heart practice before his own game.
“I didn’t know much about them before today but those guys play hard. What you expect under Coach Izzo,” Booker said. “They play together. The gym is electric and they compete at a high level.”
