Booker continues Clemson tradition

All Devin Booker wanted to do was wear the orange, says those close the 6-foot-8 sophomore from Union (S.C.) High School.

On Sunday, the Palmetto State native got his chance. Booker committed to the Clemson Tigers and will join his older brother, Trevor, on the team in the near future.

Booker took a week to consider his future after receiving an offer from Purnell after Clemson's game against Syracuse in the NIT.

According to Steve McNeely, director of the South Carolina Celtics AAU club Booker plays for, the writing was on the wall for the family.

"The opportunity to play with his brother and play for Oliver Purnell and his whole staff is what he wanted all along," McNeely said. "After seeing what Trevor has done as a frehsman, Devin thinks he can be a little better than Trevor."

That's saying a lot considering the elder Booker was one of the top freshmen in a talented, and young, freshmen class in the ACC this season.

The younger Booker averaged 13 points and nine rebounds a game this season and will be one of the several intriguing players for Jonathan Campbell's South Carolina Celtics 16 and under team this AAU season.

McNeely says Booker has a chance to be an even better player at the ACC level than his brother.

"Devin is more skilled offensively than Trevor was at this same stage," McNeely said. "But he's a lot like Trevor in the sense he's a quiet kid that doesn't say much but he's such a joy to coach. He'll block a ton of shots and face up for jumpers and go down with a drop step move. By the time he's a senior, he'll be really, really good."