Megan BullBehind every star athlete is a support system that rarely makes the headlines — and for Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, that support system starts with his mother, Veronica Gutierrez.
While Booker’s scoring records and All-Star appearances are well documented, far less is publicly known about the woman who raised him. Gutierrez has deliberately kept her life outside of public view, which has only fueled curiosity among basketball fans about who she is, how she raised her son, and what her life looks like today.
This article brings together what is publicly known and consistently reported about Veronica Gutierrez — her background, career, family, and her relationship with her famous son — while being clear about where information is limited or unconfirmed.
Who Is Veronica Gutierrez?
Veronica Gutierrez is a Mexican-American cosmetologist best known publicly as the mother of NBA player Devin Booker. She is described in multiple profiles as coming from a Mexican-American background, with her father’s family tracing back to Nogales, a city on the Arizona-Mexico border.
Beyond that, she has not shared many personal details publicly, including her exact age, education history, or hometown — a reflection of how intentionally private she has kept her life even as her son’s fame has grown.
Gutierrez has largely stayed out of interviews and media coverage, choosing instead to support Devin from a distance — courtside at games, and in the family photos he occasionally shares on social media, rather than through public statements of her own.
Career as a Cosmetologist
Professionally, Gutierrez has worked as a cosmetologist and makeup artist, a career that predates her son’s rise to NBA stardom. This line of work has generally been described as a steady, low-profile profession that she pursued independently while raising her children — separate from any involvement in basketball or the sports world that would later define her public identity.
Unlike some parents of professional athletes who transition into public-facing roles (agents, commentators, or brand ambassadors), Gutierrez has kept her career and personal life largely separate from Devin’s basketball career.
Meeting Melvin Booker
Veronica Gutierrez and Melvin Booker, a former professional basketball player, are reported to have met in the mid-1990s, around the time Melvin was playing in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) — a minor-league circuit that has served as a pipeline to the NBA for many players. Their relationship led to the birth of their son, Devin Booker, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996.
Gutierrez and Melvin Booker were never married. Melvin’s basketball career took him overseas for extended stretches, which meant that for much of Devin’s early childhood, Veronica served as his primary caregiver in Michigan. Devin later spent part of his teenage years living with his father, but it was Veronica who raised him through his early, formative years.
Raising Devin Booker as a Single Mother
Multiple sources consistently describe Gutierrez as having raised Devin largely as a single parent during his early years in Michigan. Reports indicate that after Melvin Booker retired from professional basketball, he encouraged Veronica to support Devin’s growing interest in the sport — a decision that eventually helped set Devin on the path toward a Division I college career at the University of Kentucky and, later, his selection by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
While the details of Gutierrez’s day-to-day parenting haven’t been widely documented in interviews, the consistent thread across coverage of the family is that she provided stability during Devin’s childhood while his father’s basketball career kept him away for long periods.
Veronica Gutierrez’s Other Children
Veronica Gutierrez is a mother of three. Alongside Devin, she has two other children from previous relationships:
- Davon Wade — Gutierrez’s eldest child, born in 1993. Davon graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in business administration and now works as a real estate broker in Arizona. He also serves on the board of directors for Phoenix Suns Charities, the philanthropic arm of Devin’s NBA team, where he has helped support programs in education, healthcare, and youth basketball across Arizona.
- Mya Renee Powell — Gutierrez’s youngest child and only daughter. Mya has been reported in several profiles as living with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (also referred to in some coverage by the related term DiGeorge syndrome), a genetic condition. Devin has publicly shown affection for his sister, including bringing her along to major events such as the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Devin Booker has spoken openly about the close bond he shares with both of his siblings, and Gutierrez’s role in keeping the family connected — despite having children from different relationships — is frequently cited as a defining feature of the family’s dynamic.
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A Private Life Away From the Spotlight
One of the most consistent facts about Veronica Gutierrez, across nearly every source that covers her, is how little she has chosen to share publicly. She does not maintain a widely known, verified social media presence, and she has not given the kind of high-profile interviews that some other parents of NBA stars have. Instead, most of what the public sees of her comes filtered through Devin’s own social media posts — photos from games, holidays, or family milestones.
This low profile appears to be a deliberate choice rather than an oversight. Even as Devin Booker’s career has grown to include multiple NBA All-Star selections and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), Gutierrez has continued to avoid the spotlight that often comes with being a celebrity parent.
Veronica Gutierrez’s Relationship With Devin Booker Today
Despite her private nature, Gutierrez’s presence in Devin’s life remains visible in smaller, personal ways. She is regularly seen courtside supporting him during Phoenix Suns games, and Devin has shared moments with her on social media over the years, including candid family photos that highlight their close relationship. Their bond is often cited by fans and sports commentators as an example of the quiet, behind-the-scenes support that shapes many professional athletes’ careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Veronica Gutierrez? Veronica Gutierrez is a Mexican-American cosmetologist and the mother of Phoenix Suns basketball player Devin Booker.
Is Veronica Gutierrez married? No. Public reports indicate Gutierrez has never married, including to Devin’s father, Melvin Booker, or to the fathers of her other two children.
How many children does Veronica Gutierrez have? She has three children: Devin Booker, Davon Wade, and Mya Renee Powell.
What does Veronica Gutierrez do for a living? She works as a cosmetologist and makeup artist.
Where did Veronica Gutierrez raise Devin Booker? Devin was born and largely raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Gutierrez served as his primary caregiver during much of his childhood.
