Michigan
Devin Booker autograph was ‘full-circle moment’ with ex-Michigan State standout
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“It’s just a matter of playing faster,” Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal says during training camp at Verizon 5G Training Center Oct. 3, 2024.
Devin Booker had a heartfelt “full-circle moment” in the Phoenix Suns’ 105-97 preseason road win at the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
It was really a homecoming game for Booker, as he played at Michigan State’s Breslin Center in East Lansing. Booker had a special moment when he encountered one of his childhood idols in the Spartans’ former standout point guard, Drew Nietzel.
“My son’s here with me, so maybe he can get his first autograph from Devin like I gave him an autograph back in the day,” Neitzel said to NBA.com during the game.
Booker was born and lived in Michigan before moving to Mississippi to attend high school.
More: Suns vs. Pistons at Michigan State stirs memories of Ishbia, Booker for Tom Izzo
The NBA.com video clip shows Booker calling Neitzel a “Grand Rapids legend” before the game when asked who gave him his first autograph. Booker (10 points, three assists, and a block in 20 minutes) later met and hugged Neitzel, met his young son and gladly obliged to sign the kid’s Booker replica jersey. Neitzel called it a ”full-circle moment” as he lifted his son so Booker could sign his jersey.
Neitzel played for Michigan State from 2004-08 and helped lead the Spartans to the 2005 Final Four. He’s among three players in school history and 12 Big Ten players to ever finish their college career with 1,500 points and 500 assists.
Also after the game, Booker told AZFamily 3TV’s sideline reporter Amanda Pflugrad that he grew up as a Michigan State fan in Grand Rapids, about an hour from the East Lansing campus. He also said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo used to let him play pickup games with the Spartans when he was in high school.
Booker paid homage to the school by wearing a customized Spartan green version of his signature Nike Booker 1 shoes with the “Sparty” mascot.
The game was also a bright flashback moment for Suns owner Mat Ishbia. He played as a Spartans walk-on from 2000 to 2003. Ishbia was on their 2000 NCAA title team and went to the following year’s Final Four.