"She keeps me grounded" - Devin Booker reflects on sister Maya's role in his life after profound Special Olympics experience
Team USA star Devin Booker and his sister Mya were recently photographed enjoying themselves in Paris as the Phoenix Suns guard looks to capture his second Olympic gold medal. Booker's sister Mya has become a familiar face to Suns fans, as she's frequently seen with him before and after NBA games.
While it's unclear if she was in attendance at Saturday's game against Puerto Rico, where Team USA officially clinched a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympic playoffs, it's clear that Mya has had a huge impact on her older brother.
At the time, the former Kentucky guard was drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NBA draft. For example, the two were photographed celebrating the moment together while wearing Phoenix Suns hats.
The following year, Booker spoke about how his sister, with whom he shares a mother, keeps their family grounded and provides their family with endless amounts of joy. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Booker opened up on the impact his sister Mya has had about him, explaining:
“Shes our everything. She changed all our lives. She changed them for the better. There’s no one in the world who brings more joy to me or to our family.”
"... She puts things in perspective for me a lot and keeps me grounded”
"She motivates me every day" - Devin Booker opens up on how his sister Mya inspired him to get involved in the Special Olympics
In addition to having a close relationship with his sister Mya and bringing her with him to the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer, Devin Booker has been heavily involved in the Special Olympics.
According to the organization's website, Devin Booker has been involved with Special Olympics Arizona since 2015. Most notably, Booker has brought individuals like Jenna Warren and Noah Smith to the NBA Draft Lottery, earning him praise from fans.
In addition, he also served as a coach for the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game the summer after he was drafted and has held camps for Special Olympics Arizona athletes.
As Devin Booker explained in the aforementioned Sports Illustrated interview:
"I’ve celebrated the accomplishments and witnessed the challenges my sister Mya has experienced as a person with intellectual disabilities.
"She motivates me every day, and I’m humbled to be part of Special Olympics, a global organization with a mission to help spread awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.”
Following the 2020–21 season, the Suns star was honored with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award after helping Special Olympics Arizona secure a $100,000 grant through his Starting Five charity the prior year.
The Starting Five charity, founded by Booker, pledged to donate $500,000 per year to five different local nonprofits in the Phoenix area, one of which was Special Olympics Arizona.
The grant helped the organization build a basketball court for the Special Olympics, ensuring that athletes have a place to practice and compete.
Along with his work for Special Olympics Arizona, Devin Booker has also gotten involved with the organization on a global level, working with Special Olympics China, while being named a Global Ambassador for the organization.