Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Devin Booker, one of the top shooting guards in the Class of 2014, has not cut his list to a top five and says he will do so later on.
“I will cut it officially after the summer,” the 6-foot-4 Booker out of Moss Point (Miss.) Tweeted.
Still, it’s a safe bet Booker will land at one of the following schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Missouri and Florida. Coaches from all five school watched him play for the USA South team here at the Nike Global Challenge.
Michigan is the hometown favorite because Booker’s mother lives there. Head coach John Beilein and assistant LaVall Jordan both watched Booker here.
“Well, Michigan’s been recruiting me since the eighth grade, so they have a special place in my heart I’d say because I’ve visited there seven times and my mom lives in Michigan still and she’d probably like me to stay closer to home and play,” Booker told SNY.tv. “I live in Mississippi but I’m there in Michigan for the summer.”
Michigan State is also close to his mother’s home, and head coach Tom Izzo sat courtside for Booker’s games.
“Same thing, close to my mom, Izzo if one of the best coaches ever. I like how Coach Izzo pushes his players and all the Final Fours he’s been to,” Booker said. “You want to win when you go to college.”
Kentucky is also on the list and head coach John Calipari watched him, too.
“You can’t ignore what Calipari is doing right now,” Booker said. “He’s winning national championships and putting players in the league, so that’s what you want to see. That’s everyone’s dream to play in the NBA if you’re at this high level. So Kentucky, that’s a good look.”
Florida coach Billy Donovan was also on hand.
“I like Donovan’s system for the guards, he runs the NBA style,” Booker said. “More offense with his guards and I’m kind of similar to a Brad Beal type player so that’s what I see.”
Missouri coach Frank Haith and assistant Tim Fuller also watched Booker, knowing full well that his father, Melvin Booker, was a star there.
“That’s my dad’s alma mater,” Devin said. “They’ve been recruiting me since the eighth grade also and they show a lot of love. I’ve been up there a lot and I have a good relationship with the coaching staff. We have a good relationship.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Devin Booker, one of the top shooting guards in the Class of 2014, has not cut his list to a top five and says he will do so later on.
“I will cut it officially after the summer,” the 6-foot-4 Booker out of Moss Point (Miss.) Tweeted.
Still, it’s a safe bet Booker will land at one of the following schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Missouri and Florida. Coaches from all five school watched him play for the USA South team here at the Nike Global Challenge.
Michigan is the hometown favorite because Booker’s mother lives there. Head coach John Beilein and assistant LaVall Jordan both watched Booker here.
“Well, Michigan’s been recruiting me since the eighth grade, so they have a special place in my heart I’d say because I’ve visited there seven times and my mom lives in Michigan still and she’d probably like me to stay closer to home and play,” Booker told SNY.tv. “I live in Mississippi but I’m there in Michigan for the summer.”
Michigan State is also close to his mother’s home, and head coach Tom Izzo sat courtside for Booker’s games.
“Same thing, close to my mom, Izzo if one of the best coaches ever. I like how Coach Izzo pushes his players and all the Final Fours he’s been to,” Booker said. “You want to win when you go to college.”
Kentucky is also on the list and head coach John Calipari watched him, too.
“You can’t ignore what Calipari is doing right now,” Booker said. “He’s winning national championships and putting players in the league, so that’s what you want to see. That’s everyone’s dream to play in the NBA if you’re at this high level. So Kentucky, that’s a good look.”
Florida coach Billy Donovan was also on hand.
“I like Donovan’s system for the guards, he runs the NBA style,” Booker said. “More offense with his guards and I’m kind of similar to a Brad Beal type player so that’s what I see.”
Missouri coach Frank Haith and assistant Tim Fuller also watched Booker, knowing full well that his father, Melvin Booker, was a star there.
“That’s my dad’s alma mater,” Devin said. “They’ve been recruiting me since the eighth grade also and they show a lot of love. I’ve been up there a lot and I have a good relationship with the coaching staff. We have a good relationship.”
