Sports

Just third Alaskan to play in ACC, guard Devon Bookert delivering for Florida State

Not even his best effort is good enough for Devon Bookert of Anchorage. His expectations are higher.

"I don't think I've played a complete game," said the former West High star who's now a sophomore at Florida State University. "I want to."

If anybody could shoot for the stars and make it, though, Bookert is your guy.

He's arguably the best shooter in the ACC -- the only player in the conference with extended playing time who converted at least 50 percent of his 3-pointers and 80 percent of free throws last season.

Already this year he's been recognized as one of the best point guards in the country by virtue of his selection to the 2014 Bob Cousy Award watch list.

Recently, at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, he pumped in a career-high 18 points against the nation's 10th-ranked team one night and sank the winning jumper to beat the buzzer two nights later.

"I don't think it was my best stretch at all," Bookert said. "Everyone wants to be a great player, so you have to do the things along the way."

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He said the only thing he remembers about the trip was the fact Florida State didn't win the tournament. Perfection is winning.

Bookert is winning over fans of Alaska basketball. He is just the third Alaskan to start for an ACC team, joining Anchorage's Trajan Langdon and Juneau's Carlos Boozer of Duke University.

Both those guys made it to the NBA. That's where Bookert dreams of playing one day as well.

"It's definitely a good goal to have and ultimately that's where I want to be. That's what I've dreamed of since I was a little kid," Bookert said. "That would be the greatest thing for me."

Bookert is averaging 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in eight games this season. He is shooting 46 percent from the floor and 81 percent from the line.

Turns out, though, basketball has been the easy part of college. His classes have been more challenging than opposing ballhandlers.

"Your grades are way more important than you think," Bookert said. "When you get to college, it's so hard to organize everything. You make sure you go to classes on time and finish assignments on time. It's important to develop good life skills."

Van Williams, a 20-year local sports writer and the former sports editor of the Anchorage Daily News, blogs on the accomplishments of Alaska athletes for the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. He can be reached at alaskasportshall@yahoo.com. Used with permission.

Van Williams

Van Williams is a freelance writer in Anchorage and editor of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame blog.

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