Devin Booker Named Global Ambassador for Special Olympics

Former Kentucky standout Devon Booker knows a thing or two about building momentum after taking Big Blue Nation on a historic ride in his lone season in a Wildcat uniform.

After all, Booker helped push the Wildcats to its only undefeated regular season with a perfect 31-0 record, running off 38 straight wins before finally losing in the 2015 Final Four. Fast forward to today and the No. 13 overall pick with the Phoenix Suns has continued his surge, making his first NBA All-Star Team on the heels of signing a 5-year, $158 million extension in 2018, the largest contract in franchise history.

Now in his fifth NBA season, the 23-year old is now taking his winning formula on the world-wide stage after recently being named a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics.

Per the press release from the Special Olympics, Booker’s role as Global Ambassador will include promoting inclusion through sport, especially opportunities involving basketball while utilizing his reach with younger audiences through social media.

With Phoenix Suns Charities, Booker launched the “Devin Booker Starting 5” that awards $500,000 annually to five local nonprofit organizations over a five-year period. Special Olympics Arizona is a recipient of one of the $100,000 donations as Booker has been active locally with special olympics throughout the Phoenix area.

On a more personal level, Booker has a close bond with his younger sister Mya who has DiGeorge syndrome that results in intellectual disabilities from a missing chromosome.

Prior to the stoppage of play due to COVID-19, Booker was on fire, averaging 26.1 points per game and making his first NBA All-Star Game appearance. The 6-foot-5 sharp-shooting guard was named to the 2016 First-Team NBA All-Rookie Team in 2016 and became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game in 2017.

Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions throughout the year.

To make a difference locally, please connect with Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) to make a donation or sign up to become a volunteer.