Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will wear the number 15 jersey starting in the 2024-25 NBA season, officially moving away from the number 1 he has worn since 2019. The change serves as a tribute to his father, Melvin Booker, who wore the number during his own professional basketball career.
Why did Devin Booker change his number?
Devin Booker is switching to number 15 to honor his father, Melvin Booker, according to an official announcement from the Phoenix Suns. Melvin Booker played professional basketball internationally and had stints in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors, consistently donning the number 15 throughout his career. Devin Booker previously wore number 1 while playing for the Suns and number 24 during his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky.
Historical context of Booker’s jersey numbers
The move to 15 marks the third number change for the four-time All-Star during his professional tenure. Upon entering the NBA in 2015, Booker wore number 1. He maintained that jersey for four seasons before briefly considering a change in 2019. While he has been synonymous with the number 1 in Phoenix, the transition to 15 aligns his professional identity with the legacy of his father, who served as his primary basketball mentor.
How the NBA manages jersey number transitions
NBA players typically coordinate jersey changes with the league and the team’s equipment staff well in advance of the season to manage inventory and licensing. According to ESPN, the transition follows league protocols regarding player branding. Because Booker has been with the franchise for more than four seasons, his jersey change is a high-profile equipment transition that requires lead time for the production of new team merchandise.
Key details of the transition
- New Number: 15
- Former Number: 1
- Reason: Honoring his father, Melvin Booker
- Effective Date: 2024-25 NBA Season
What comes next for the Suns
The Phoenix Suns look to integrate this change as part of a broader team aesthetic update for the upcoming campaign. While the jersey number is symbolic, it represents a new chapter for the franchise cornerstone as he enters his 10th NBA season. Fans can expect to see the new number 15 jerseys available through official retail channels as the team prepares for training camp. This change follows a league-wide trend where veteran players shift to numbers that hold personal or familial significance later in their careers.