Throwback: Devin Booker Interview After Pre-Draft Workout With Phoenix Suns

Nobody knew what was in store for Devin Booker, but the Suns may have known after their pre-draft workout with the Kentucky shooter.

It feels like just yesterday Phoenix Suns fans were soaking in a new rookie shooting guard from Kentucky in Devin Booker. 

Booker, selected in the lottery by the Suns in 2015, has now completed his seventh season with Phoenix and has quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league. 

A lot of work went into Booker's current resume, which features All-NBA first team honors, three straight All-Star appearances and a recent cameo in the league's MVP voting. 

Looking back at his interview following his pre-draft workout with the Suns, it's amazing to see how far Booker has come. 

"Just competitive (the workout), and that's what I wanted it to be. I knew the workouts were going to be competitive, that's why I wanted to do a lot of workouts," Booker answered when asked if he took anything away from his time with the Suns. "It's the opportunity I always wanted (to) play against other great college players, and we're all trying to fight for that next level, so we're all competing."

"I'm kind of comfortable, and I credit being at the University of Kentucky. (It's) the biggest stage in college basketball, so I'm used to that, being in the pressure. That's one of the reasons I went to Kentucky. At the end of the day, it's been my dream my whole life (to be drafted).

"You get excited, nervous, scared, everything. But at the end of the day it's what I wanted."

Booker received some extra instructions from then Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, who earned an All-Star appearance as a player and won two three-point competitions as well. 

"He was giving me a little bit of shooting advice. I take everything in, especially from a coach like that," Booker said on Hornacek. 

"Like I said, it's been a lifelong dream of mine so I'm open to any information, anything that can help me. Everyone, they're at this level I'm trying to get to. So I take it in, and just listen to everything that's said to me. "

The Suns drafted a total of four Kentucky players between 2015-2016, with others joining the squad through trades or free agency. 

At Booker's workout was guard Eric Bledsoe, a fellow Kentucky product who shared some words of encouragement during the workout. 

"I talked to him a little bit, he said we could use another Kentucky guy, another knock-down shooter around here. You got Archie (Goodwin) …  You know the whole backcourt's Kentucky, Brandon Knight also. I like the situation.

"I'm getting used to it (the schedule of workouts), enjoying the process. I know it's all going to pay off at the end of June." 

It's safe to say his hard work indeed paid off. Below is a clip from Cronkite News with footage from the workout.

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