Devin Booker loves the state of Michigan. 

Proof of that was comments made by the Phoenix Suns star Monday afternoon during an NBA Finals media session.

ABC 13-Grand Rapids’ Jamal Spencer asked Booker how West Michigan shaped his passion and love for the game. Before hearing he’d field a question from Spencer, Booker’s disposition changed. His eyes grew wide. He changed his posture. 

And he let out a smile for the first time during the media session.

It’s safe to surmise why. 

Booker, 24, was born and raised in Grand Rapids. He played his freshman year of high school basketball at Grandville. 

Now on the biggest stage of his career to date, he’s talking to his hometown media. After the moment of shock passed, Booker talked about how Michigan shaped his basketball game.

“That’s where it all started,” said Booker. 

“That’s where I fell in love with the game. You know, I fell in love with that Pistons team. They taught me the game of basketball. And you know, just being around everybody in West Michigan.”

Booker then showed love to Drake Harris, a standout two-sport athlete out of Grand Rapids Christian that. Booker stated that Harris is someone he admired and “wanted to be like.” 

During the @Suns #NBA Finals media session today, Grand Rapids native @DevinBook shared his thoughts on the 2004 Detroit Pistons team, how Michgan is a place he learned his fundamentals, and more. #DevinBooker #Suns #Pistons #Detroit pic.twitter.com/DqQ4bN2YNJ

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) July 5, 2021

The most significant part of Booker’s lovefest for Michigan came when he said this is where he learned his fundamentals. 

“I always say I learned the fundamentals in Michigan, then when I moved to Mississippi, it brought more of ‘the dog’ out,” said Booker. 

“It was a great balance for me, and you know, I credit Michigan for a lot of my success, especially Grand Rapids, my hometown.”

Check out more comments by Devin Booker, including his love for summers in Michigan, by clicking here.