Booker was born on November 25, 1987 in Newberry, South Carolina to Gerald and Tracey, both accomplished athletes. He was brought up in a rural Whitmire neighborhood and grew up eating as many as 20 bowls of cereal each week, sharing the love with his brothers. Booker began playing the game of basketball after his mother tried to get her sons into it by showing them her clippings as a high school player. His brother, Devin, said, "She got us into it when we were younger, and we have been ever since."
Entering college, Booker was listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com. He was ranked the 29th best power forward by Rivals and 27th by 247Sports in the Class of 2006. Booker was also given a 0.8778 composite rating at 247Sports.com. He committed to play for the Clemson Tigers men's basketball team on May 13, 2005, officially visited Clemson on September 16, 2005, signed the National Letter of Intent with Clemson on February 1, 2006, and enrolled on May 30, 2006. Booker also considered Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, James Madison, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, William & Mary, and Wofford as possible destinations. He received offers from Wofford, William & Mary, and South Carolina. On October 31, 2006, Booker made his collegiate debut with Clemson, recording six points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and three steals as starting power forward in an exhibition game against Lithuania Academy. He was allowed 18 minutes on the court, and along with Sam Perry, led the team in rebounds. Booker made his first regular season appearance with the Tigers on November 10, 2006, in the first round of the Cox Communications Classic against Arkansas State. After starting as center, he became the first true freshman to start in that position for Clemson since Tom Wideman in 1995-96. He finished the game with 6 points, a team-high 7 rebounds, and 1 block in 19 minutes of playing time. On November 12, 2006, Booker grabbed a career-best 9 rebounds vs Old Dominion for the Cox Communications Classic title. He also contributed 10 points. On November 17, 2006, Booker scored a career-high 15 points in 20 minutes against Appalachian State. Booker recorded 11 rebounds on November 24 of the same year in a win over Charleston Southern. It was his first collegiate game with 10+ boards. On December 31, 2006, he recorded his first career double-double, with 15 points and 12 rebounds on Georgia State. James Mays, one of his teammates, when asked about Booker's accomplishments, said, "What didn't he do?" Booker helped Clemson reach 14-0, their best start in 20 years. On January 6, 2007, Booker had Georgia Tech freshman Zach Peacock ejected from the game after he hit him with an elbow. On March 19, 2007, Booker scored a career-high 21 points against Ole Miss. By the end of his freshman season, Booker averaged 10.4 points, a team-high 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. He ranked fourth nationally among freshmen in shots blocked.
Sophomore and Junior
In his sophomore and junior seasons, Clemson had its first back-to-back NCAA appearances in nearly ten years. In Booker's junior year he led the ACC in rebounding and field goal percentage, and finished second in blocked shots. For his efforts, Booker was named second-team All-ACC and was named to the 2009 All-Defensive Team. On the National level, he was named USBWA All-District and NABC second team All-District. Following his junior year, Booker announced that he would return to Clemson for his senior year. He spent the summer following his junior campaign playing for Team USA in the World University Games, helping the team win a bronze medal.
Senior
During his senior year, Booker was selected the All-ACC first team.
Professional career
Washington Wizards (2010–2014)
Booker was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 23rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. His rights were later traded to the Washington Wizards on draft night. On August 4, 2011, Booker signed with Bnei Hasharon of Israel for the duration of the NBA lockout. In October 2011, he returned to the United States due to a bruised right quadriceps. In December 2011, following the conclusion of the lockout, Booker returned to the Washington Wizards before appearing in a game for Bnei Hasharon.
On July 21, 2014, Booker signed with the Utah Jazz to a reported two-year, $10 million contract. On April 11, 2015, Booker scored a career-high 36 points in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
On July 8, 2016, Booker signed with the Brooklyn Nets. On December 14, 2016, he grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds in a 107–97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. On April 1, 2017, he scored a season-high 23 points in a 121–111 win over the Orlando Magic.
On December 7, 2017, Booker was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second-round pick. On February 28, 2018, he was waived by the 76ers.
In August 2018, Booker signed a one-year contract to play with the Shanxi Brave Dragons in the CBA. On October 11, 2018, Booker returned to the United States to have surgery performed on his foot.
Retirement
On April 14, 2020, Booker announced his retirement from his basketball career at age 32.
