Melvin Booker got to break a sweat on a few NBA teams but mostly played overseas in Turkey, Russia and Italy. Gutierrez allowed Booker, then 12, to visit his father one spring break in Milan, where the son played one-on-one with a future pro in Danilo Gallinari and showed the potential of being a special player. Eventually, Melvin ended his career to return home to coach his high school team and focus on his son. He convinced Gutierrez and Devin on a move to Mississippi before his sophomore year in high school so that he could be trained and prepared to play at a big-time college. “Letting Devin leave Michigan was by far the hardest decision of my life. I still have mixed feelings about it,” Gutierrez wrote. “Division I colleges were already pursuing him. Since Melvin was playing basketball overseas most of his life, the one-on-one that he got with his father was good for him.”
Danilo Gallinari Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: F
Born: 08/08/88
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:225 lbs. / 102.1 kg.
Salary: $22,615,559
Born: 08/08/88
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:225 lbs. / 102.1 kg.
Salary: $22,615,559
3d
3d
Erik Horne: Thunder has Danilo Gallinari listed as available for Wednesday’s game against the Kings after missing Monday’s win against the Jazz with an ankle sprain. Terrance Ferguson (hip soreness) is listed as out.
Speaking of the Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC remains a playoff contender even after trading Westbrook and Paul George last offseason. The Thunder are just 11-12, but that’s good enough today for the 7-seed in the West. Despite their moderate success, plans haven’t changed; Paul, Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams, and other veterans are all available, according to league sources.
Portland is also expected to pursue Oklahoma City’s Danilo Gallinari, according to league sources. The Blazers have options to help save their season following the Carmelo Anthony Band-Aid.
Billy Donovan was asked Wednesday if he has an idea of how long Danilo Gallinari will remain with the organization. Gallinari, who is playing on an expiring contract, is the Thunder’s most valuable asset who is likely to be traded this season. “I’ve had no conversations with anybody about that,” Donovan said. “My feeling has always been that all these guys that are here, that they’ll be here. I coach just like that. But in terms of future plans, I have no idea.”
