Phoenix Suns can consider themselves very lucky. A certain 18-year basketball prodigy landed in their lap around six years ago, and now that kid is wreaking havoc in the NBA.

That, of course, is none other than Devin Booker, whom they selected with their 13th pick in the loaded draft class of 2015. Unsurprisingly, the man behind the steal of that night, Antonio Williams, deserves a lot of credit. But what are some of the things which he caught his eye when watching Booker play ball?

“When I was working in college basketball in Nike, I saw Devin a lot. I saw a lot of things that I liked. Of course, I saw the skills standpoint, from what he could do from a skills perspective,” said Williams.

Devin played 38 games from the bench for Kentucky in his freshman year. He averaged 10 points per game in 21.5 minutes of on-court action. So, the scouts simply hadn’t seen enough of him to take a punt. Plus, he wasn’t a physical specimen that they could bank on either.

Which is the primary reason why he fell so low in a draft class which also included the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, D’Angelo Russell, and Myles Turner.

“Number 1, he didn’t start a game at Kentucky. He came off the bench, but some underrated aspects of Devin Booker’s game – he’s more athletic than people think he is, he’s tougher than people think he is,” said Williams.

Inherent love of basketball enticed Phoenix Suns to select Devin Booker

Booker hasn’t had the rub of the green when it comes to garnering respect in the NBA. Despite his high numbers, he’s regularly overlooked for other guards in the league. Naturally, there are some underrated elements of his game that are carrying him to NBA superstardom –

“When we look at the upside, we always attribute it to physical things. But there are some other underrated elements of upside as well. And one of them is inherently loving basketball… So, those are the underrated aspects of Devin’s game. And those are the things that have made him a superstar.”

Trending

Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto

April 22, 2024 03:36 PM EDT

Anthony Davis Storms Out Of Press Conference While De’Angelo Russell Takes NBA Refs To Task Online

April 23, 2024 07:51 AM EDT

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment

April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal Only Has 1 Question for LeBron James’ Lakers After Ruining 20-Point Lead Against Nuggets

April 23, 2024 07:13 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Although he’s missing out on the 2021 NBA All-Star Game with a sprained knee, we hope that there are many more to come with the Suns.

Did DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Ingram Deserve To Replace Devin Booker Over Mike Conley For 2021 NBA All-Star Game?