HS Student-Athlete of the Week: Jamin Booker takes Buena basketball program to new heights

Tucson’s neighboring city of Sierra Vista may be small in geographical size and population, but there’s nothing small about its basketball program at Buena High School.

Just take a look at Buena forward Jamin Booker (pronounced Jay-min), who stands tall at 6-4 at just 17 years old.

Booker, a senior, is putting up serious stats for Buena’s varsity team. This season, he’s averaging 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The national average is 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

During Buena’s game against Pueblo on Jan. 17, Booker scored 25 points and shot 85% from the field. The Colts, with the help of Booker, took down the Warriors 71-30.

Buena currently has a 9-0 overall record and is ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, according to the latest AIA state rankings. Last season, the Colts finished with an 11-7 record and ranked No. 20.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Dennis Baker, Buena’s varsity basketball head coach. “He’s easily the best athlete I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. And he’s an all-around good kid. He’s really smart, good in the classroom, has a good attitude and just everything that a coach would want when you’re trying to be successful on the floor and off the floor.”

Despite the undefeated record, Booker thinks his team is capable of more.

“I think we’re doing pretty good,” he said. “I don’t think we realize our full potential yet. We have a long way to go for our more competitive games at the end of the season and looking forward towards playoffs, but I feel like we’re making good progress as a team.”

Being the best of the best is something his team should strive for, he says, especially as they head into tougher matches later in the season and a playoff run.

Booker may be “kind and soft spoken,” according to his coach, but his positive attitude and drive to succeed are what separates him from the rest.

“He’s a kid that grew up in this community, in Sierra Vista and, we’re a small town south of Tucson, and most of our basketball community here, they kind of all grew up together playing in the same club programs,” Baker said. “So, he’s been a part of the Buena varsity program since he’s been in high school. This is his fourth and last year ever. So, he’s kind of this grassroots kid and a very good representation of every other kid from Sierra Vista that plays basketball.”

Booker began playing basketball several years ago after a brief stint playing soccer. The deciding factor in switching sports was the pace of the game, he says.

By the time he reached high school, Booker made the varsity basketball team by the beginning of his sophomore year. His first year on the varsity team is one of his favorite memories of playing basketball.

“I liked the increase in the level of play compared to my freshman year,” he said. “Guys on those teams and the games you played, the tournaments you went to, it was really competitive and I feel like it helped me push my game forward a lot.”

As his high school basketball career comes to a close this year, Booker says he isn’t sad about the end.

“I enjoyed myself the entire time and I want to end it on a high note,” he said. “So, then when I play at the next level, I’m ready for that because it’s going to be quite a drastic change.”

Off the court, Booker shines in the classroom, too. He currently has a 3.9 GPA and participates in his school’s Key Club, which helps students engage in community service projects.

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Although Booker dedicates multiple hours each week to basketball, academics and community service, at the end of the day, he’s still a teenager who enjoys teenage things like taking a nap before a game or snacking on pizza.

When he’s not in school or on the court, Booker is often arm-deep in boxes at garage sales, searching for computer parts and trading cards he can resell on eBay — a hobby he picked up during his free time.

After graduation, Booker has a couple of possibilities he’d like to explore.

He says he wants to play basketball at the college level and possibly study engineering. But he’s also interested in joining the U.S. Army.

However, Booker says his options aren’t limited to one or the other. Instead, he’d like to achieve both feats: going to college and joining the military. He’s just not sure which will come first at the moment.

One thing is certain, though, his college choice. He aspires to attend Arizona State and become a Sun Devil.

“He works hard and he’s continued to get better and better as a basketball player on the court,” Baker said. “He kind of has a smooth athleticism to his game and that’s so natural (to him). He just needed to and wanted to get better at some of the technical things in basketball and really just let his game grow, both offensively and defensively, with the system, and he’s really grown in those areas. Off the court, he’s been focused on trying to put himself in a position to get to play at the next level or be able to get a scholarship to play at the next level, so that includes keeping his grades up. He’s doing everything he’s supposed to do.”

Fast five with Jamin

Who is your basketball inspiration?

“My sister, Jaslyn. (Jaslyn played at Buena, too, graduating in 2020).”

If you could participate in a basketball shootaround with any basketball player, who would it be?

“LeBron James, specifically Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James.”

What is your favorite basketball shoe?

“Nike Kobe Reverse Grinch.”

What is your go-to post-game meal?

“A Little Caesars pizza.”

What is your current favorite class?

“AP Econ. I’m learning a lot about supply and demand right now.”