As Madison Booker’s Texas looks to lock horns with Lauren Bett’s UCLA, a far ‘sinister’ concern is bothering the fans. Could Madison somehow be related to the Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker? While Devin has had a terrific season for the Phoenix Suns with an average of 25.7, Madison, too, is having quite a season for the Longhorns (19.3 ppg). So is it the shared Booker genes that are doing the trick?
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Are Madison Booker and Devin Booker Related?
Contrary to what the surname suggests, Madison Booker and Devin Booker are not related. Madison Booker has become one of the standout stars in college basketball this season, but she is not related to the NBA’s Devin Booker, and they have different sets of parents.
What Are Their Family Backgrounds and Basketball Roots?
Madison Booker has become one of the standout stars in college basketball this season. Playing under Vic Schaefer, Booker led the Longhorns to the Elite Eight during the 2023–24 campaign and has followed it up by guiding Texas to the Final Four, where it faces the UCLA Bruins. She is the daughter of former Southern Miss guard Carlos Booker, who played college basketball in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons before pursuing a professional career overseas.
When Madison’s talents got public attention, she got a lot of hype behind her while coming out of high school. Booker was ranked No. 12 overall in the 2023 class by ESPN HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings and was considered the second-best wing in the nation.
Although Booker is not related to Phoenix Suns Devin Booker, she does have a connection to Phoenix courtesy of her association with former power forward Kevin Durant. Ahead of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, Durant selected Booker as the first recipient of his new NIL initiative at Texas.
Devin Booker, on the other hand, is the son of Veronica Gutierrez and former NBA player Melvin Booker, who played in the league from 1995 to 1997. Devin acquired strong playing skills from his father. In his high-school days, Booker played for Grandville and Moss Point, and then would play for the Kentucky Wildcats under John Calipari.
Why Do Fans Think Madison Booker and Devin Booker Are Connected?
Similar surnames are bound to create confusion, and that is what is happening with Madison and Devin Booker. While the former is a native of Mississippi, the latter comes from Michigan and has a very different background compared to the former. Since the name “Booker” is uncommon in basketball circles, seeing two rising stars with it naturally sparks curiosity.
Despite the geographical differences between the two players, their talents are pretty much identical. Their simultaneous success at the elite level has made people ponder if there is a connection. But the truth is, there is no connection whatsoever between the two, neither bloodline nor family ties.
Madison has no connection with Devin; she does, in fact, share a close bond with former Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant. Madison associated herself with Nike and Durant’s Boardroom platform, which provides Booker with apparel and on-court footwear, including the KD19 signature shoes, alongside additional promotional and support benefits.
And it seems that KD, too, is a staunch Madison Booker fam.
“Nike presented this opportunity, Maddi was down with it, and I felt like she was the perfect first player to join the team. What she’s done at the University of Texas, there’s going to be two 35s retired in those rafters when she’s done. It just made sense for us. I love her like a sister. I love her game. She’s the perfect player to start us off,” said KD, giving Madison her stamp of approval.
But Madison Booker’s reputation precedes her. In addition to being named SEC Tournament MVP and Most Outstanding Player of the Fort Worth 3 Regional, Booker has amassed 228 career NCAA Tournament points—second only in Texas history to Clarissa Davis (261). So Cori Close should definitely do her homework on her, or else a fantastic season for UCLA might just not be ready for a rude awakening.
