**BREAKING NEWS: Phoenix Suns Rising Star Devin Booker Invests \$7.5 Million to Transform House Into Shelter for Homeless Youth in Phoenix**
**Phoenix, AZ — May 6, 2025**
In a bold, heartfelt move that blends philanthropy with purpose, Phoenix Suns shooting guard and rising NBA icon Devin Booker has announced a personal \$7.5 million investment to convert his former Paradise Valley mansion into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth. The new facility, to be named **”The Starting Five House,”** will serve as a sanctuary, offering housing, education, and mentorship for young people in crisis.
The announcement was made early Tuesday morning via a press release from the Devin Booker Starting Five Foundation, accompanied by a video message from Booker himself.
> “This is about more than basketball,” Booker said in the video, standing in front of the property that will soon become a home to dozens of displaced youth. “It’s about using our platform, our blessings, to change lives. Every young person deserves stability, support, and the chance to dream. This house was a place where I envisioned my future. Now, it’ll be a place where others can rebuild theirs.”
### A Mansion with a Mission
The sprawling 12,000-square-foot estate, nestled in the affluent Paradise Valley neighborhood, was once Booker’s personal retreat—a place where he trained, relaxed, and found solitude during his off-seasons. Featuring seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a full basketball court, and panoramic views of Camelback Mountain, the property drew attention from fans and media alike when Booker purchased it in 2020.
Now, it is being gutted, redesigned, and rebuilt into a youth-focused sanctuary that includes dorm-style bedrooms, counseling offices, a computer lab, a music studio, a culinary teaching kitchen, and a mini gym with an NBA-sized hoop—a symbolic and functional touch from the All-Star himself.
> “It’s poetic, really,” says project architect Eliza Mora, who previously led youth housing projects in Los Angeles. “Where once a young man dreamed of making it big in the NBA, others will now dream of simply surviving and thriving. Devin’s vision is not just generous—it’s transformative.”
### From Hoops to Hope: Booker’s Motivation
Booker’s philanthropic streak is well-documented. Since 2019, his **Starting Five Initiative** has pledged \$500,000 annually to five Arizona-based nonprofits supporting underprivileged youth. But this latest gesture marks a significant escalation in scope and personal involvement.
Sources close to the player say the idea was sparked in early 2024 during a quiet off-day visit to a downtown Phoenix youth shelter. Booker, unannounced and incognito, spent the afternoon speaking to teenagers about their lives, hopes, and the obstacles they face.
One of those teens, 16-year-old Javier Reyes, recalls that day vividly.
> “He didn’t come as Devin Booker the baller. He came as Devin Booker the dude,” Javier said. “We sat on the stoop and talked about life. I told him I wanted to be a chef, but I couldn’t even keep a backpack without someone stealing it. He just nodded and said, ‘That’s not how it should be.’”
Weeks later, Booker met with leaders in youth homelessness prevention and began laying out plans to convert his estate into a residential facility. What followed was six months of planning, permits, and personal investment totaling \$7.5 million—more than double the property’s initial value.
### A Facility Like No Other
“The Starting Five House” will differ from traditional shelters in one crucial aspect: long-term growth. Rather than a short-term stay model, the home will offer extended transitional housing for young adults aged 15–22. Residents will be able to live in the facility for up to 24 months while they complete school, find work, or enroll in training programs.
> “Too often, shelters are a stop-gap,” says Dr. Marina Chen, director of Phoenix Youth Outreach, which will help manage the facility. “What Devin’s offering is a launchpad.”
The house will provide:
* **24/7 staff and mental health support**
* **Educational tutoring and GED prep classes**
* **Life skills workshops: financial literacy, job readiness, cooking, etc.**
* **A mentorship program led by local professionals—and occasional NBA guests**
* **A safe, trauma-informed environment to heal, grow, and dream**
The facility will partner with Phoenix Union High School District, local colleges, and tech firms to provide pathways into education and employment.
### Community Reaction: Praise, Pride, and a Push for More
Booker’s announcement has sent shockwaves through the sports and philanthropic communities.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego hailed the move as “a profound example of servant leadership,” adding that Booker is “rewriting what it means to be a role model in our city.”
Teammate Kevin Durant tweeted, *“Book ain’t just building legacies on the court. Respect.”*
Meanwhile, longtime Suns fans like Latasha Murphy, a single mother of three, said she hopes the city follows Booker’s lead.
> “Our kids are fighting every day to stay out of trouble, to find safety. Devin just showed that with enough heart, anyone can be part of the solution,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “That house? That house will save lives.”
### Challenges Ahead
Though widely celebrated, the project is not without its logistical and bureaucratic challenges.
Zoning issues, neighborhood concerns, and operational costs pose significant hurdles. A few residents of Paradise Valley have voiced unease about a youth shelter in the area, citing worries about “changing neighborhood dynamics.” However, the vast majority of public feedback has been supportive.
Booker’s foundation has pledged to cover the facility’s annual operating costs for the first five years, after which it will be supported by a combination of donations, grants, and city assistance. A board of directors including education leaders, social workers, and former at-risk youth will oversee the shelter’s policies and programs.
> “We’re not building a Band-Aid,” said Amanda Velez, the new Executive Director of The Starting Five House. “We’re building a legacy. Devin’s challenge to all of us is clear: Don’t just cheer—help carry the mission forward.”
### A New Chapter
As construction crews begin the transformation, and applications for the first class of residents open next month, one thing is clear: Devin Booker’s commitment to Phoenix runs deeper than basketball.
> “I’ve had everything I ever dreamed of,” Booker said at the end of his announcement. “Now it’s time to give others the chance to dream too.”
Back on that same stoop in downtown Phoenix, Javier Reyes—now working as a prep cook thanks to a mentorship connection from Booker’s team—smiles when asked what he thinks about the shelter.
> “I’ll be one of the first to apply,” he says. “And when I make it, I’m gonna have a kitchen in there with my name on it. Chef Javi’s corner. Book promised.”
The story of a young man who rose to fame with a basketball in his hand may now be defined just as much by the keys he handed over to a home filled with hope.
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