Booker stars in varsity debut

But after helping Agassi Prep to a 10-1 record, by averaging 26 points per game, the 6-foot-2-inch guard has seemingly become interchangeable with the school’s nickname: a star.

“Talent-wise, he’s the best point guard in Nevada,” Agassi Prep coach Trevor Diggs said. “He could be the top point guard here, no matter what division. I think he’s one of the best out there.

“I’m the leader on the team, of course, but point guard is the leader on the floor and he’s leading. He’s going to get better with every game. His job is to make the game easier for the guys around him, (and) that’s the talent he has.”

Booker has been fine-tuning his game since he was 2 years old.

“I started at the Biddyball league over at Gibson Middle School,” Booker said. “First game I had 25 points. And ever since then, I’ve been working out with my dad and uncles in the gym. Long hours, day and night. Early in the morning before school, I listen to coach Diggs teach me how to play at the next level.”

Booker began his freshman year at Bishop Gorman, but transferred to Agassi Prep after receiving some devastating news about his biggest fan, his mother.

She was diagnosed with cancer, and the influx of bills eventually brought Booker back to the school he attended from third to seventh grade.

“His mother means everything to him,” Diggs said. “She’s at every game and she’s like the mother of our team. He’s still got a great demeanor. He’s always the same, smiling and enjoying himself. Never too rowdy, never too low. I guess going through that makes you that type of person.”

Because of Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association transfer rules, Booker wasn’t allowed to play varsity basketball last year, so he played on the Stars’ junior varsity team.

He’s now making the most of his varsity debut.

On Jan. 7, the junior scored 49 points in his first league game against Lake Mead, an 86-43 road victory.

“I just felt real good,” Booker said. “I had a lot of energy and I just kept attacking. After the game, I had calls from Boise State, Tulsa, Seton Hall, UNLV and a couple others.”

He followed that with a 44-point performanc in a 77-43 win over Laughlin. The Stars are off to a 4-0 start in the Division III Southern League.

Whether he is dropping 49 points, or throwing no-look passes to his teammates, Booker is having a whole lot of fun doing it.

“I just love how it makes me feel when I play,” Booker said. “It takes my mind off everything.”

Diggs sees the potential in Booker, and said he’s going to continue pushing him so he’ll be in the best possible position for college.

“He could play Division I basketball, not a question,” Diggs said. “But where is the question? He’s just got to keep working. He’s got the tools, but you don’t get anywhere if you don’t work.”