BROOKLYN, N.Y.- Former Kentucky shooting guard, and Moss Point High School’s all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker went 13th overall in the NBA Draft Thursday night. Booker was the first South Mississippi product to be drafted in the first round in 16 years. The most recent was Picayune’s Jonathan Bender when he was taken at fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 1999.
He finished his high school career at Moss Point as their all-time leading scorer, with 2,518 career points.
Booker was the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year last season. Coming off the bench for the Wildcats, he averaged ten points per game and shot 41.1 percent from the three-point range. ESPN’s Chad Ford said that many scouts believed him to be the best shooter in the draft.
“He has deep range and a pure stroke,” Ford said. “The question is whether he can do anything else. …Given the Suns’ current guards, having him serve as a sniper from three might be enough.”
Booker stands at 6-foot-6, 206 pounds.
