The first autograph Devin Booker asked for was from Drew Neitzel of Michigan State

Devin Booker has established himself as one of the best guards in the NBA.

The four-time All-Star plays for the Phoenix Suns of former Michigan State University national basketball champion Mat Ishbia, who selected Booker 13th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Booker, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently revealed that the first autograph he ever asked for happened to be from a Spartan legend. In the following video posted by @CantGuardBook on X, Booker, who was signing basketballs, was asked who the first person he ever asked for an autograph was. His answer: Drew Neitzel.

“Legend from Grand Rapids,” Booker said. “I was actually at his training camp. He went to Michigan State.”

Neitzel played for Michigan State for four seasons. In his freshman season, he was part of the Spartans’ run to the Final Four. In his second year in the program, he returned and started 34 games.

When his junior season began, Neitzel became the team’s leader, averaging 18.1 points per game, 2.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He made the All-Big Ten First Team and was nationally nominated for the Wooden Award.

Neitzel finished fourth in the Big Ten in points.

In his final season with the Spartans, Neitzel averaged 13.9 points per game, 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Neitzel ranks sixth in program history in minutes played (4,046), seventh in assists (582) and third in 3-pointers made (273).

Booker received an offer from Michigan State but ultimately chose Kentucky. He played one season for the Wildcats and was named to the All-SEC Second Team. Booker declared for the draft, which proved to be quite successful for the nine-year NBA veteran.

Booker led Phoenix to the 2021 NBA Finals, where the Suns ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. The following season, he finished fourth in the MVP voting.

The fact that a decorated star like Booker looked up to Neitzel at a young age says a lot about the influence the outstanding Spartan had on his fans.

Neitzel did not play in the NBA afterwards, but was active abroad for a while.

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