Devin Booker - Special Olympics

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Find It Fast Find job opportunities with Special Olympics What sports does Special Olympics offer? Contact Special Olympics Find events near me Ways to give to Special Olympics Search Devin Booker Devin Booker, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Devin Booker was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft after playing basketball one year for the University of Kentucky. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016 after averaging 13.8 points per game. In 2017, Booker became the sixth player in NBA history to score 70 points, the youngest player to ever do so at the age of 20. His stats and leadership on the court for the Phoenix Suns continued to rise through 2018 and 2019, and Booker was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in February of 2020.

Booker’s younger sister Mya has 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, also known as DiGeorge syndrome, which is caused by a missing piece of chromosome 22. The deletion causes poor development of several body systems, which can result in mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The Phoenix Suns guard has always supported his younger sister, and that sibling bond has inspired him to share his support for even more people with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics. “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,” Booker said.

Engagement: Devin Booker’s impact off the court has been equally impressive. He’s felt "right at home” being involved with Special Olympics Arizona since 2015, taking part in local clinics and making friendships with local athletes. Devin was an honorary coach for the fifth NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game in Toronto in February 2016. In Spring of 2016, he invited his #1 fan Jenna Warren, who has Down syndrome, to join him in New York City for the NBA Draft Lottery. He surprised Special Olympics Arizona athlete Noah Smith with the same opportunity in 2017. In November 2019, Booker announced Special Olympics Arizona as one of the organizations included in the Devin Booker Starting 5 initiative, a 5-year program set to donate $500,000 annually to five different youth-serving nonprofit organizations in Arizona. As a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, Booker will promote inclusion through sport, especially opportunities involving basketball while utilizing his reach with younger audiences through social media. He will continue to be involved with local and global opportunities as he has in the past, through activations with Special Olympics International, Special Olympics China, Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics Arizona.

Global Ambassadors

• Alia Atkinson Olympic Swimmer, Commander of the Order of Distinction
• Andre Drummond NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Philadelphia 76ers
• Avril Lavigne Musician & Philanthropist
• Robert "Bob" Beamon Olympic Champion, Long Jump
• Charles Melton Actor
• Chris Nikic Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker
• Dale Moss Former National Football League Player
• Dalton Risner NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Offensive Guard
• Damian Lillard NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers
• Devin Booker NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns
• Didier Drogba Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player
• Drew McIntyre WWE Superstar, (World Wrestling Entertainment) WWE
• Eddie Barbanell Actor & Comedian
• Elena Delle Donne Olympic Champion, Basketball, WNBA Legend
• Erika Ender Singer/Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer and Actress
• Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski Professional Tennis Player, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
• Hannah Teter Olympic Champion, Snowboarder
• Hidetoshi Nakata Former Professional Footballer, ACCA Inc
• Hussein Fahmy Egyptian Actor
• Ibtihaj Muhammad Olympic Champion, Fencing
• In-Kyung Kim Professional Golfer
• Jamaal Charles Former Football Player at National Football League (NFL) & All Pro Runningback
• Joe Haden Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back
• John C. McGinley Actor & Advocate
• Julen Lopetegui Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla
• Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer
• Lauren Potter Actor & Advocate
• Li Na Former Professional Tennis Player, two time grand slam champion, The first Chinese member of the ITHF
• Mack Hollins NFL Player, New England Patriots Wide Receiver
• Maureen McCormick Actress, Designer, Singer, NY Times Bestselling Author
• Michael Phelps Olympic Champion, Swimming
• Nadia Comaneci Olympic Champion, Gymnastics, Perfect 10 Production, Inc., Special Olympics Global Ambassador
• Nicole Scherzinger International Recording Artist & Television Personality
• Nigel Barker Fashion Photographer, TV Personality, Producer/Filmmaker
• Padraig Harrington Professional Golfer
• Sam Perkins Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend
• Dr. Seun Adigun Summer & Winter Olympian Hurdles and Bobsledding
• Tristan Thompson NBA Champion, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Victoria Arlen ESPN SportsCenter Host
• Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic Olympic Medalist, Volleyball
• Yang Yang Olympic Champion, Speed Skating
• Yao Ming NBA All Star & FIBA Hall of Famer and Central Board Member
• Zhou Xun Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist
• Zou Shiming Olympic Champion, Boxing
• View All As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.

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