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Booker Made Family Sports His 'Own Passion'

Melvin Booker’s memories of a young Devin Booker are like a movie in fast forward. It seemed to take no time at all for his son to get older before his eyes.

That’s because his eyes only saw Devin a couple months a year.

Melvin was a professional basketball player long before Devin, the Suns’ first-round selection from last week’s draft, ever dreamed of becoming one. The former University of Missouri standout played a handful of stints in the NBA, but settled on plying his trade overseas shortly after Devin entered his life.

The elder Booker’s playing days – spent mostly in Italy and Russia – cut short the consistent, year-round interaction most parents experience with their children.