Phoenix Suns guard and multiple-time All-Star Devin Booker will no longer be wearing No. 1. Instead, he will be rocking No. 15 starting next season, and the reasons for the number switch are heartwarming.
Devin Booker Honors His Father
The first reason Devin Booker is switching from 1 to 15 is because he wants to honor his father, Melvin Booker, who wore the same number when he played for the University of Missouri. The elder Booker had a standout collegiate career for the Tigers, culminating in him being named the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year.
“Been planning this for over a year now, never really had a true story for No. 1. Besides I could never get No. 15,” the younger Booker told his old man in a video released by the Phoenix Suns revealing the number switch. “A new chapter to honor you, everything that you’ve done for me.”
Devin Booker Honors His Team USA Stints
The other reason D-Book will be using No. 15 starting next season is to honor his stint with Team USA. Booker has had two stints with the Red, Blue, and White, representing the US in both the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Paris Olympiad in 2024. The former Kentucky Wildcat won gold both times while putting up 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 12 games in two Olympics.
With the switch, the 29-year-old guard is hoping to find more success moving forward, particularly in terms of team accomplishments as he searches for that all-elusive first title.
“By the grace of God, hopefully this is the halfway point in my career. I can do even more and accomplish what I’m really set out to do—that’s win a championship and I hope that’s with the number 15 on my back,” Booker added.
In 11 seasons with the Suns, Devin Booker has averaged 24.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. He came close to winning a championship in 2021, when the Suns made it to the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks but lost, 4-2. If he is to get back to that stage—and maybe finish the job this time around—he will be doing it while rocking jersey No. 15.
(Watch below Devin Booker’s emotional sitdown with his dad.)
