CHARACTER COUNTS

Phoenix Suns Charities surprise latest members of Devin Booker Starting Five

Dec 9, 2022, 6:17 PM

The Phoenix Suns host the Boston Celtics on December 7, 2022, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, A...

The Phoenix Suns host the Boston Celtics on December 7, 2022, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)

(Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)

The 2022-23 season marks Year 4 of the Devin Booker Starting Five, Booker’s $2.5 million pledge over five years to donate $100,000 to 25 different nonprofit organizations in the Valley.

Booker said on Wednesday that Phoenix Suns Charities are still trying to find ways to surprise the organizations with the reveal.

Back to School Clothing Drive, Homeward Bound, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, Positive Coaching Alliance — Arizona and The Be Kind Project People all got a special way to learn the news.

After the first quarter during Wednesday’s game, leaders from those five organizations were involved in what looked like a typical game played by a fan during an intermission, with them blindfolded and trying to be guided by fans toward their prize. The prize, though, was their $100,000 checks.

“This is Year 4 now and it’s something that’s here to stay,” Booker said. “I want to thank everybody on the Phoenix Suns Charities board, including Sarah (Krahenbuh) running it and my brother is on the board. They’re really passionate about these projects. They do a good job of selecting the organizations that we use.

“We’re just trying to level the playing field for everybody and give everybody an equal chance out here. We’ve been doing a great job of that and it’s something that we want to keep doing.”

If you would like to join Booker in contributing to the effort from Phoenix Suns Charities, keep an eye out for the latest release of a limited-edition Devin Booker Starting Five hoodie for sale online, which will commemorate this year’s organizations and have proceeds going to Phoenix Suns Charities.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Character Counts

Manager Torey Lovullo (L) and general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks meet before Ga...

David Veenstra

MLB feature showcases inseparable bond between Diamondbacks’ Hazen and Lovullo

MLB published a short-form documentary centered around the friendship between D-backs general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo. 

17 days ago

Devin Booker gifts Purdue men's basketball with Book 1s...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker gifts pair of Final Four teams Nike Book 1s

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker gifted Alabama and Purdue men's basketball teams with Nike Book 1s ahead of the Final Four.

17 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. looks on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. eyeing ways to extend his foundation’s reach in Arizona

Don't let his age fool you, Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. is no stranger to giving back to the communities around him.

1 month ago

Runners take off after the starting gun at Pat's Run in Tempe. The race, will be run on April 13 th...

Character Counts

The 20th annual Pat’s Run set take place in Tempe on April 13

The 20th iteration of Pat's Run is set to take place in Tempe on April 13 to honor the life and legacy of Pat Tillman.

1 month ago

Follow @AZSports...

Character Counts

Bradley Beal hooked up Devin Booker fans who supported Suns in Denver

Suns fans who showed up to in Devin Booker jerseys at Ball Arena in Denver got a special gift from Bradley Beal afterward.

2 months ago

Aani Nagaiah, front row far right, is the winner among 10 finalists for the 2024 Character Counts s...

Character Counts

Arcadia senior wins 2024 Character Counts Scholarship

Arcadia's Aani Nagaiah on Wednesday night was presented as the winner of the 2024 Character Counts scholarship courtesy of Parker & Sons.

2 months ago

Phoenix Suns Charities surprise latest members of Devin Booker Starting Five