George Mason reloaded with youthful talent this offseason, highlighted by 6-foot-4 guard Devin Booker. Hailing from Philadelphia, Booker was a 3-and-D recruit ranked the sixth-best player in Pennsylvania’s 2025 class.
During his tenure at Cristo Rey Jesuit, Booker scored 1,000 points, was a two-time PJAA Player of the Year and scored 25 points to help his team win the PJAA title in 2024. George Mason head coach Tony Skinn quickly recognized his potential.
“I went to watch Devin late summer, and within the first five minutes of my eval, I knew he was special,” Skinn said after Booker signed with the Patriots.
Even with high praise from his coach, Booker remains grounded, knowing he still has to prove himself at the collegiate level.
“It’s very exciting,” Booker said. “Knowing that all the hard work is paying off when I didn’t even think I was going to play college basketball. I’m able to do the thing I love in front of people.”
Booker brings youthful energy to the Patriots’ roster as a floor-spacer who can hold his own on defense. As he adjusts to the college game, he’s beginning to recognize the differences in speed, physicality and intensity.
Don’t mistake the freshman’s adjustment period for hesitation. Booker embraces the higher level of competition and uses it as motivation.
“It just motivated me to keep working harder and harder every day,” he said. “Getting extra reps in, getting in the weight room more just so I can compete at the highest level.”
Booker’s game features a developing shooting ability and a strong defensive presence. He is active on defense and has the potential to guard multiple positions, a versatility that should benefit him in the Atlantic 10.
He is eager to continue developing under Skinn and the George Mason staff, knowing he must keep working to earn minutes as a freshman.
“I want to do whatever I can to get on the court,” Booker said. “Here, the best defensive players get on the court a lot, so the mentality I took is that if I play defense, I’ll be able to get on the court.”
Beyond his skills on the floor, Booker contributes to the team’s camaraderie. He makes it a point to lift up teammates and brighten their days whenever he sees them down.
“I joke a lot,” he said. “I feel like if somebody is having a bad day, I can just joke around with them – bring light to a dark day.”
Booker’s mindset stands out just as much as his game. Sharing a name with the NBA star in Phoenix, he hopes to make a name for himself in college basketball.
“I wouldn’t be in this situation if I wasn’t good enough,” he said. “I feel like if I get my moment, I’m going to be able to execute.”
He will make his college debut Saturday in George Mason’s season-opening exhibition against Alfred University, the first step in what he hopes will be a standout freshman season.
