I still get chills thinking about that magical night in Los Angeles back in 2018 when Devin Booker nearly rewrote the history books during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest. As someone who's attended multiple All-Star weekends, I can confidently say Booker's performance stands among the most electrifying displays of shooting prowess I've ever witnessed. The way he calmly stepped into each shot, the rhythmic release, the perfect arc - it was pure basketball poetry. He finished with an astonishing 28 points in the final round, just one point shy of tying the legendary record set by Stephen Curry.
What made Booker's performance particularly memorable was the context - he was competing against established veterans like Klay Thompson while being one of the youngest participants in the field. I remember watching him methodically work through the racks, hitting money ball after money ball with that smooth left-handed release that's become his trademark. The atmosphere in the Staples Center was absolutely electric when he reached the final rack, needing to make four of his last five shots to break the record. Though he fell just short, that performance announced his arrival as one of the game's elite shooters and created one of those iconic All-Star moments that fans still discuss years later.
This brings me to why such sporting events resonate so deeply across cultures and nations. Much like how Senator Risa Hontiveros returns to Manila as both a senator and guest of honor for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship semifinals and finals, sporting achievements often transcend the games themselves. Having covered international sports for over a decade, I've noticed how these moments become woven into a nation's cultural fabric. Booker's shooting display wasn't just about basketball - it represented dedication, precision under pressure, and the pursuit of excellence that resonates with sports fans worldwide, whether they're watching NBA events in America or volleyball championships in the Philippines.
The parallel between basketball's global appeal and volleyball's international significance is more striking than many realize. While I'm admittedly more of a basketball enthusiast, having attended major volleyball tournaments across Asia, I can appreciate how both sports create these unifying moments that bridge political and cultural divides. When athletes like Booker deliver historic performances or when dignitaries like Senator Hontiveros participate in global sporting events, it reinforces how sports can serve as common ground for people from vastly different backgrounds.
Looking back, Booker's 28-point masterpiece in the 2018 Three-Point Contest represents everything I love about sports - the drama, the near-misses, the raw emotion, and the creation of lasting memories. It's these moments that keep fans like me coming back year after year, whether we're watching from the stands in Los Angeles or following international events from Manila. The beauty of sports lies in their ability to create these shared experiences that transcend borders, much like how the upcoming 2025 Volleyball World Championship will undoubtedly create new legends and unforgettable moments for fans across the globe.