Bookert nets 16 points, two career highs for Florida State in opener
Anchorage’s Devon Bookert has been handed the keys to the Florida State offense, responsible for driving the team to success.
The sophomore starting point guard ran on all cylinders in tonight’s season opener, a 91-67 victory over Jacksonville.
The 6-foot-3 Alaskan bagged 16 points and a career-high nine rebounds and five steals in 32 minutes.
Bookert, of West High fame, had a promising freshman season for the Seminoles and entered this year expected to orchestrate an offense packed with returning players.
Being the point guard, the team is also looking for Bookert to lead with his actions and his words.
“Devon is still trying to find himself, trying to become a leader of a team, trying to become more vocal,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told the Orlando Sentinel. “I think he’s in a transition period right now.”
Bookert was running the halls at West High only a few years ago. Now he’s responsibility for running an ACC team. He’s been forced to learn on the fly.
“He needs to be a little more demonstrative, a little more demanding in telling this team what he wants it to do,” Hamilton said.
Bookert called his own number in the first game, making 6-of-12 shots, including three 3s. He threatened his career high of 18 points.
The former Alaska player of the year has averaged 6.7 points in 35 games with FSU.