Devin Booker keyed an 11-0 Clemson run with back to back dunks to help his team to a 64-55 win over rival South Carolina last Sunday.
The senior forward threw down his first slam midway through the first quarter. He followed up with a steal on the other end and raced back to his own goal to jam a monstrous dunk while being fouled. Booker converted the three point play for a 14-3 Clemson lead.
The Tigers had lost the past two in the series and had squandered a 12-point lead to trail 31-28 early in the second half. That’s when Booker and K.J. McDaniels got going for Clemson. McDaniels knocked down four foul shots and a jumper while Booker added eight points in the game-breaking run including a pair of free throws with 9:08 to play for the 49-37 lead.
Booker ended with 13 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
On Saturday Clemson put on a valiant effort before falling to Arizona, 66-54.
Booker contributed five shot blocks, nine rebounds and six points. The Tigers have just two upperclassmen on the roster in seniors Devin Booker and Milton Jennings. Clemson’s depth took a hit this week, too, when guard T.J. Sapp decided to transfer.
Meanwhile, in the NBA, Devin’s brother, Trevor Booker returned to the practice court Monday, albeit in a limited capacity.
Booker, who was picked No. 23 overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA draft, has been out for two weeks after injuring his right knee on Nov. 19 during a game against the Indiana Pacers. Initially thought to be just a strain, the healing process has taken longer than expected, leaving Booker sidelined for possibly another couple of weeks.
Booker revealed he had been playing with knee soreness for close to two months and suggested the injury probably developed as he attempted to compensate for a left hamstring injury in training camp.
In addition to Booker, the Wizards are without John Wall, A.J. Price and Trevor Ariza because of various ailments.
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