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.

[1] Booker began playing the game of basketball after his mother tried to get her sons into it by showing them her highlights as a high school player.

Booker left the Union high school team as its all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots.

Later on, Booker played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball with the South Carolina Celtics.

[5] Booker also considered Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, James Madison, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, William & Mary, and Wofford as possible destinations.

[4] 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.

[7] 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.

[8][9] On November 12, 2006, Booker grabbed a career-best 9 rebounds vs Old Dominion for the Cox Communications Classic title.

[9][12] On January 6, 2007, Booker had Georgia Tech freshman Zach Peacock ejected from the game after he hit him with an elbow.

[23] In December 2011, following the conclusion of the lockout, Booker returned to the Washington Wizards before appearing in a game for Bnei Hasharon.

[29] On December 7, 2017, Booker was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second-round pick.

[32] In August 2018, Booker signed a one-year contract to play with the Shanxi Brave Dragons in the CBA.