Who is Devin Booker?

The Suns selected the youngest player in the NBA draft, Devin Booker from the University of Kentucky. Booker is still only 18 years old (October 30, 1996) and is one of the top shooters in the 2015 draft class. He is an elite shooter, with great shot mechanics, and NBA range. His shooting stroke will allow him to contribute right away on the Suns. Booker knocked down 58 threes during his only season at Kentucky while shooting 41%.

Position: Shooting Guard

Measurables

Height: 6' 4.5" without shoes, 6' 5.75" with shoes

Weight: 206 pounds

Wingspan: 6' 8.25"

Standing Reach: 8' 6.5"

Combine Numbers

Maximum Vertical Leap: 34.5"

Lane Agility: 10.22 seconds

3/4 Court Sprint: 3.28 seconds

Devin Booker is average on the defensive end. His lack of elite athleticism limits his defensive ability against some of the NBA athletes, however, he has a high basketball IQ, which will help him take the right angles on defense. He could become a better defender as he matures as an NBA player. Klay Thompson is a good example of a player who wasn't a good defender in college and wasn't projected to be a good defender in the NBA because of his athletic ability, but became a great defender through hard work and high basketball IQ.

Quick Thoughts

• Booker has a very high basketball IQ, which should help him on both sides of the ball. His IQ will also help diminish his limited athleticism.
• At 6'6 Booker will have no problem getting his shot off over other wing defenders.
• The Suns now have four guards who played at Kentucky, Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, Archie Goodwin, and Devin Booker. McDonough sure does love his Kentucky guards.
• This is most likely the end of the Gerald Green era. As Booker will provide a more consistent three point option.
• Booker also isn't a great rebounder for his size and position
• Suns will have a more traditional lineup when Booker is on the floor instead of a two point guard lineup.
• Summer League and training camp will be an interesting battle for minutes at shooting guard, especially between Booker and Goodwin
• Reggie Bullock will probably go from getting 6.8 minutes per game to about 2 mpg
• NBA Comparison: Klay Thompson

Quotes

Devin Booker on answering questions about his speed, "I make it more simple than it has to be. I keep it simple. I don't do too much, but I can do those things. I fell like I'm a great athlete and I showed that a little bit. People can say what they want, but at the end of the day I'm going to keep working on my game. I always know I have things to work on."

Jeff Hornacek on "Anytime you're a shooter you're going to have guys trying to run you off that line and that's when he's going to be able to penetrate. He's a smart player, he knows how to play, he'll make extra passes, he'll get in the lane... he's got the ability to avoid guys and get his shot off but we also saw many times on the tape where he just kicked it out to someone else or made a lob pass to one those tall teammates he had this year... It's not like he was all about scoring, he was trying to make the right plays and that's a sign that a guy is going to be a good professional."

Devin Booker on being drafted by the Suns, "Very excited. really excited. I'm really excited for the whole situation."

Booker on if Phoenix is a good fit, "Definitely. You know, I feel like with the up-beat tempo they play, Eric and Brandon out there, Also with Archie, I feel Like there are going to be a lot of open looks."

Booker on what he thinks that he can show in the pros that he wasn't able to show in college, "I think I'm a little more athletic than people know, I think I will be able to show that and also creating things for others. You know, throughout my whole high school career, I played a lot of pick-and-rolls, but I wasn't in the right position to do that at Kentucky. But I feel like I can show all that when I get to Phoenix."

Booker will be in Phoenix tomorrow for his first media session as a Sun.