After failing to make the postseason for the seventh straight year, the Phoenix Suns are heading to the NBA Draft Lottery yet again. And with the hopes of getting lucky by obtaining a high pick, the Suns are having their burgeoning young star Devin Booker represent them at the event. Booker, though, isn’t going to New York City alone; he’s bringing a special guest with him.
On Friday, Booker went to Navarrette Elementary School in Chandler, Arizona to surprise Noah Smith, a Special Olympics athlete and hardcore Suns fan, with a trip to the Draft Lottery.
Students at Navarrete Elementary thought the Suns were visiting for a Fit Clinic… little did they know what @DevinBook had up his sleeve https://t.co/fN7gHWEI8Z
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 12, 2017
Noah needed surgery at the age of two to repair a hole in his heart, which he unfortunately was born with. He also had to have his forehead plates rearranged five times through multiple procedures before the age of five. Despite these hardships, Noah competes in the Special Olympics and enjoys playing basketball. All of this makes the moment Booker surprised Smith quite moving to see:
That moment when @DevinBook announced that he's inviting Noah Smith, a Special Olympics athlete, to accompany him to the NBA Draft Lottery. https://t.co/TdF4UTwhPb
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 12, 2017
Noah will be travelling to New York to hang with Booker, along with his brother Brad, who is also a big Suns fan.
Next up, #NBA Draft Lottery ✈️ pic.twitter.com/4HnwK6lv6G
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 12, 2017
While Booker would likely prefer to be playing in the postseason, he has made each of his recent trips to represent the Suns at the Draft Lottery memorable by bringing along a youth with special needs to be his guest. Just a very altruistic and cool move by Booker, who clearly knows the importance of giving back and how much of an impact he can have on his young fans.
