Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has developed into one of the best shooting guards in the league. After a meteoric rise to stardom, Booker has impressed many, including his contemporary from the 2015 NBA Draft, D’Angelo Russell.
Russell discussed Booker’s rise from being a relatively overlooked player in college and during the pre-draft process to a star and the impact it had on him on the “Backyard Podcast“.
“He’s one of the few guys I watched develop into who he is, as a person and as a player,” said Russell. “He obviously was groomed, but watching him elevate his game every year… we used to compete during pre-draft, like head-on. Like, dude couldn’t dribble for real, and now he’s a pro.”
The former All-Star was impressed with Booker’s development since college, where he wasn’t even a starter for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Russell continued by saying, “Watching him develop all these things and his game, and it’s just like ‘Now y’all comparing this guy to Kobe?’. It’s recognizing and appreciating it, and also being motivated by it.”
Booker’s growth trajectory is worth taking note of. Given that he wasn’t a standout in his draft class, the Suns star has truly carved out a significant place for himself in the league.
Booker was selected with the 13th overall pick in his class. This was a relatively high pick considering his modest performance in college. While this move could be perceived as a risk borne by the Phoenix Suns, it certainly paid off for them in the long run.
In his rookie season, the guard displayed the potential to be a prolific scorer in the NBA. With an average of 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, Booker finished fourth in ROTY voting, setting the precedent for future performances.
Booker followed up his rookie outing by making a huge leap in his sophomore year. With an average of 22.1 points per game in just his second season, the guard established himself as a weapon.
By the 2019-20 season, his fifth in the NBA, Booker had earned his first All-Star selection. Although the Suns barely missed out on the playoffs this year, it set the tone for the 2020-21 season, when he led the franchise all the way to the NBA Finals.
Since their Finals run, Phoenix has seen many ups and downs as an organization, marked by the arrival and departure of stars and the fall of a brief era. During this period, however, Booker’s position with the team remained consistent.
The 2024-25 season was a trough in the star’s career trajectory. Although his individual performance remained brilliant, as he averaged 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, the Suns had a rough season, as they finished 11th in the West.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Suns have committed to building their core around the star. Having offered him a sizable contract extension, Phoenix has ensured that the 28-year-old will remain central to their future.
