Devin Booker and D’Angelo Russell (Image Credits: The Backyard Podcast/Youtube)
Devin Booker and D’Angelo Russell were both part of the 2015 NBA draft and were also childhood friends. Booker, who was recently praised by Steve Kerr, was the thirteenth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns, while Russell was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft.

In a recent episode of the Back Yard podcast, Russell mentioned a moment from a game against Booker’s Suns, discussing the whistle he had in Los Angeles. Booker responded with a witty remark about Russell’s whistle.

Russell: “One of my favorite stories, bro, I was in LA, and we are playing Phoenix. I used to get the whistle, a nice little whistle. I used to get the whistle, my boy in LA.” 

Booker: “In LA? Ain’t that convenient. You didn’t get it in Brooklyn or Golden State. That makes sense.”

During the 2023-24 NBA season, Devin Booker delivered some outstanding performances for the Suns, including a 62-point game against the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in the 2023-24 season.

On the other hand, D’Angelo Russell, after playing for several seasons with different teams, returned to the Lakers. According to StatMuse, Throughout the 2023-24 season, Russell averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 76 games.

Booker and Russell Rewind Their First Meeting

Booker and Russell discussed their first meeting while playing golf on the podcast. Russell talked about their first encounter, where he asked Booker several questions.

“I was just like, bro, what’s your name type sh** bro. You cold, bro, what’s your name. I remember guarding each other and he just was going to dunk that. He was just polished, I was just a fan every camp. We found a way to be teammates, the older we got, we found a way to dominate sh** together.”

Booker has been the best selection the Suns have ever made. In 2017, he became the youngest player to score more than 60 points in a game.