The gold medal was in hand for USA Basketball. Mission accomplished at the 2024 Paris Games. And USA men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr had just answered his final question in his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France in the gold medal game.

But before leaving the news conference stage in Paris, Kerr stopped to give an unsolicited message to media all over the world.

“Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just wanted to say that,” Kerr said.

The “unsung MVP” compliment meant a tremendous amount to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his heart throughout the whole process. I said it a year prior what I wanted to do for that team and what we want to do for the country.

“It was way bigger than all of us. To pull through was something we will talk about for the rest of our lives.”

USA Basketball’s team centered on the star power of NBA icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There was also a lot of media and fan debate about the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost in the hoopla was the versatile and unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker in his headband.

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 3-pointers made while starting all six Olympic games, and had the best plus/minus (plus-130) for the U.S. Kerr was impressed by Booker’s focus on tough defense despite being known for his offense, his movement of the ball and how he adapted to not being one of the top options offensively.

“I was just understanding what was at stake,” Booker said. “I take pride in being from this country. I take pride in the game of basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we have dominated for a long time. Obviously, the world is super-talented and the game is growing, but it was another message to let them know who we are.”

Booker said he also learned about preparation from his star-studded team, taking note of its process on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifetime friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own s— that they have going on,” Booker said. “What I’ve learned in my 10 [NBA] years going about it is you pick up what you can work for you. But the level of detail, attention to detail, the intensity, it’s all consistent throughout everybody.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the two Suns stars has “been close and is growing closer every day.” They live about five minutes from each other in Phoenix area and hang out regularly at home and on the road. Lately, Booker has had to lead the Suns without Durant, who is out with an injury.

A blazing Durant was averaging a Suns-best 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The 14-time NBA All-Star, however, has been sidelined since Nov. 8 with a left calf strain. Suns starters Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) have also been sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, including four consecutive losses.

Next up for Booker and Suns sans Durant are the New York Knicks Wednesday night (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Booker has averaged 24.1 points on 43.2% shooting from the field and made 16 of 43 3-point attempts over the past six games. Suns guard Tyus Jones said that there has been a lot of pressure on Booker offensively due to the injuries.

“We’re asking Book to do a lot,” Jones said after a 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic on Monday. “It’s a lot of pressure on him. It’s a lot of focus on him. They’re physical with him, they hold and grab him, all night they’re throwing two or three bodies at him. So, it’s a lot on his plate, and we just got to continue to find ways to get him open the times that we can, and also continue to help him out with other guys making shots and making plays.”

Booker now has two Olympic gold medals, four NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing for the Suns’ second all-time leading scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they have yet to win a title.

After experiencing the emotions of winning a gold medal, Booker is even thirstier for the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy as an NBA champion.

“Most of the guys that were there, they have done it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who have been NBA champions. “They have been champs. That is the standard for them. Anything less than that, they don’t want nothing to do with it. It’s contagious …

“It’s all I want. It’s all I want.”