Devin Booker scores 23 points in Rising Stars Challenge
Feb 12, 2016, 9:32 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2016, 1:43 pm
The style of the Rising Stars Challenge was made for Devin Booker. The game does not feature any serious defensive effort and that results in a large amount of wide-open three-pointers.
Booker shined in the game, scoring 23 points on only 13 shots for Team USA, who got the win over Team World 157-154.
As expected, Booker got to work quickly. He scored 13 points in his first seven minutes on the floor. That included a quick seven points in the first two minutes he came off the bench.
Warming up for tomorrow night?
He has 👌 👌 👌 .
13 points in 7 minutes. #NBAAllStarTO #WeArePHX pic.twitter.com/vMcendPLcv
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 13, 2016
Always praised for his basketball IQ, Booker was one of the only players to take advantage of the lackadaisical defense by cutting to the basket. He went back to the bench in the first half with a game-high 18 points.
We can't type as fast as @DevinBook is scoring.
He now has 18 points in 8 minutes and 4 👌s. #NBAAllStarTO #WeArePHXhttps://t.co/4iBLL1oAPW
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 13, 2016
At halftime, Booker was teased by his teammates during his halftime interview on TNT.
https://vine.co/v/inH6Kqp0xFH
Booker is the ninth Suns player to play in the Rising Stars game.
The 19-year-old replaced injured Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel in the game.