PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is one of the league’s best scorers, but earned even more respect after leading Team USA to another gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Booker had to adapt from his typical role of scoring nearly 30 points a night to being a defensive stopper and off-ball runner on a team full of superstars to serve Steve Kerr’s system.

“Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our secret MVP. I just wanted to say that,” Kerr said after the U.S. defeated France to win gold.

Appearing with Kevin Durant at Fanatics Fest, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards echoed Kerr’s sentiments:

“Steph had great games, he (KD) had great games, LeBron had great games, but Book covered the best player and blocked shots … Book makes 70 (in NBA games), I’m not going to lie – I was impressed watching him,” Edwards said.

Booker was a key starter throughout the US team’s winning streak, averaging 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Booker also shot a strong 59% three-point percentage.

Booker himself admitted that during his tenure in Paris he focused on other aspects of the game besides scoring goals.

“You just never know when your night is going to come,” Booker said.

“Focusing on the details of the game is an important part. Defending at a high level is what the team needs.”

For Booker, it was all about making Phoenix known.

“Phoenix is ​​represented everywhere. We also have three players on the women’s team, so we are well represented. It’s a basketball town and we want to put the city on the map. And there’s no better way to do that than to win gold,” he said.

Mission accomplished.