If the Timberwolves get Zach LaVine in the dunk contest and the Lakers get Jordan Clarkson in the skills competition, isn’t it only right that the Western Conference’s other cellar dweller is also represented on All-Star Saturday night?
Not only did Devin Booker of the freefalling Suns get invited to the 3-point contest, He’s making history.
Booker – 19 years and 106 days old on All-Star Saturday night – will be the youngest competitor in the event’s history.
By far.
The difference between Booker and the second-youngest participant (Bradley Beal in 2014) is greater than the difference between the second-youngest participant and the 13th-youngest participant (Mike Miller in 2002)
Here are the 15 youngest competitors in 3-point contest history with their age the day of the shootout:
| Player | Age |
| Devin Booker, 2016 | 19 years, 106 days |
| Bradley Beal, 2014 | 20 years, 232 days |
| Kyrie Irving, 2013* | 20 years, 330 days |
| Rashard Lewis, 2001 | 21 years, 186 days |
| Danilo Gallinari, 2010 | 21 years, 189 days |
| Dirk Nowitzki, 2000 | 21 years, 238 days |
| Mike Bibby, 2000 | 21 years, 275 days |
| Daequan Cook, 2009* | 21 years, 292 days |
| Quentin Richardson, 2002 | 21 years, 302 days |
| Kyrie Irving, 2014 | 21 years, 329 days |
| Stephen Curry, 2010 | 21 years, 336 days |
| Daniel Gibson, 2008 | 21 years, 354 days |
| Mike Miller, 2002 | 21 years, 355 days |
| Kevin Durant, 2011 | 22 years, 143 days |
| Dennis Scott, 1991 | 22 years, 157 days |
*Won event
Though the NBA can obviously pick whomever it desires for these contests, Booker deserves inclusion. He’s a historically great outside shooter for his age.
His combination of volume (1.2 made per game) and efficiency (41.7%) on 3-pointers is unmatched by any teenager. Kevin Durant is the only player to hit those marks even at age 20.
So much has gone wrong for the Suns this season, but Booker’s production has been a revelation. The rookie has the makings of a special player.
That’ll be on display next week.
