Devin Booker Gifts BYU Basketball Custom Nike Book 2 Shoes for March Madness

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker is extending his signature shoe line beyond his Kentucky roots, gifting the Brigham Young University (BYU) men’s basketball team with custom Nike Book 2 player exclusives (PEs) ahead of the Big 12 Tournament. The shoes, featuring BYU’s royal blue and a silver Nike swoosh with the Cougars’ logo on the heel, were delivered to the team last week, according to multiple reports.

BYU star small forward AJ Dybantsa expressed his enthusiasm for the gift, stating, “Shout out Book, Book 2 PEs, fire. I knew that I was going to wear them.” Dybantsa debuted the custom Book 2s during BYU’s quarterfinal win over Kansas State on March 10, contributing 40 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while wearing the shoes.

Booker himself sported the “BYU” PE colorway on Tuesday, March 17, during a Phoenix Suns game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he scored 34 points despite the Suns’ 116-104 loss. This marks a departure from the initial focus on Kentucky-themed colorways that characterized the early releases of the Nike Book 2.

The gesture highlights a growing trend for Booker, who has increasingly used his signature line to collaborate with and recognize collegiate programs. BYU joins a list of universities to receive customized Book 2s, including Kentucky, USC, Michigan State, Arkansas, Duke, and Arizona. Since the Book 2’s release on January 2, Booker has also worn other PEs, such as the “All-Star Warning Label” and “The Valley” designs, during NBA games.

The connection between Booker and BYU head coach Kevin Young appears to be a key factor in the collaboration. Young served as an assistant and associate head coach for the Suns from 2020 to 2024 before being hired by BYU in 2024. Booker publicly supported Young as a potential head coach candidate for the Suns in 2023 and acknowledged a close relationship with the coach when Young accepted the BYU position.

While the Nike Book 2 “BYU Cougars” PE is not expected to be released for public sale, the collaboration underscores Booker’s expanding influence in the player exclusive space, having already debuted over 100 variations during the Book 1 run. The focus on college programs is a notable shift in storytelling from the Book 1 era, which drew inspiration from Nike heritage, personal references, and lifestyle themes.