Devin Booker's Parents: His Mother Raised Him Alone & His Father Became a Famous NBA Player

NBA star Devin Booker is not the only famous person in his family. He inherited his athletic talent from his father, basketball player Melvin Booker, and his determination from his mother, Veronica Gutierrez.

Devin Booker's parents are a force to be reckoned with; they have raised a son to be proud of. Basketball fans will be familiar with Devin's dad, the former NBA player Melvin Booker, but not many know about his single mom, Veronica Gutierrez.

The young Phoenix Suns player and Olympic Gold medalist have been hitting the headlines for his relationship with celebrity model Kendall Jenner. Still, now that the romance is over, the focus is on his family, his mother, his father, and his siblings.

Devin Booker was born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was his mother, Veronica Gutierrez's hometown, and his father, Melvin Booker, who played for CBA's Grand Rapids Hoops.

The relationship foundered after Devin's birth, and Veronica raised their son as a single mom while Melvin played international basketball in Europe. When young Devin was in high school, Melvin returned, and Devin moved with him to Michigan.

With his father as the assistant basketball coach at Moss Point High School, Devin flourished and evolved as a player. He played college basketball in Kentucky before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2015, and in 2016 he was picked for the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Since then, Devin Booker has been NBA All-Stars three times, All-NBA First Team in 2022, and won an Olympic Gold medal at the Tokyo Games. But the man is always the reflection of his upbringing, so let us look at his family and their legacy.

Devin's Father Is a Well-Known Basketball Player

Melvin Booker was born in Moss Point, Mississippi, in 1972. Melvin became a basketball star in high school and played college basketball for the University of Missouri. In 1994 he joined the Hartford Hellcats.

Over the next three years, he played for several teams, including the Houston Rockets, Grand Rapids Hoops (where he met Devin's mom), and the Golden State Warriors. In 1998, he moved to Europe, where he pursued an International career, playing primarily in Italian teams.

During the next ten years, Devin would fly to Europe and spend the summers with his father, and he developed a passion for basketball. Melvin spoke warmly of Veronica for nurturing his relationship with Devin and allowing him to make up for the time he was away from the boy. He said:

“She made it happen. I owe her all the credit for allowing that to happen. Ever since he was 8 months old he was coming with me in the summertime. ”

In 2008, Melvin refused to renew a contract to play in Italy to return to the United States and nurture the enormous talent he saw in his son. Veronica agreed to allow Devin to move to Missouri to be with his father, so he could start training to become a professional basketball player.

Devin admires his mom for letting him move in with the father he'd never lived with at such a young age after raising him on her own. The basketball player describes his mother as a powerful woman. Her decision gave Devin his first step toward the NBA.

It was from Melvin that Devin learned what the former player called "basketball I.Q." and made sure his son had no bad habits to unlearn, no weaknesses that might trip him up on his way to the top.

The hard work paid off when the young player joined the Phoenix Suns. Devin is one of the brightest stars in the NBA, and in 2018, he signed a $158 million deal over five years with the Phoenix Suns.

Devin's Mother Is Veronica Gutierrez

Devin's strong-willed, determined mom has been a source of inspiration to her son. Veronica is of Mexican descent and a woman who has kept her life private. We know that she was living in Grand Rapids when she met Melvin and already had a son, Devon Wade, who was four when his little brother was born.

Despite the end of their romance, they remained united as parents.

Veronica worked as a cosmetologist to support her family, co-parented Devin amicably with Melvin, and encouraged her son to spend summers with his dad and play the game he loved.

In 2002 Veronica welcomed her third child, daughter Mya Renee Powell. The mother of three has raised her kids alone, and her courage and determination have been a shining example for Devin and his siblings.

Her father, Jesus Gutierrez, passed on his warm, caring nature to his daughter. He and Veronica have taught Devin to cherish and value his Mexican cultural heritage, even though he speaks very little Spanish.

Devin has become more aware of his Hispanic heritage since his grandfather passed away and is determined to learn more. He has become an icon to Americans of Hispanic descent and is proud to represent them.

The basketball player has often given full credit for his achievements to his mother and father, who shaped him as a man and a player. Melvin and Veronica are an example to more than their son. The two often appear at events together to support Devin, and it is beautiful to see that they put their son first.

Despite the end of their romance, they remained united as parents and raised a young man to be proud of and who has given basketball fans and their communities so much joy.