Grayson "The Professor" Boucher: Streetball Legend

Ivan McGovern: When And1 kind of dissolved away, what were your thoughts on your future?

Grayson Boucher: Well, it never completely went away, it just wasn't covered on ESPN. Which made it not have nearly the exposure it did during previous years. But while that was the case, I saw And1 sticking around for quite awhile still and I knew there was a possibility that Ball Up would launch full force. So as far as the future was concerned, I had assumed that it was going to be hoops/streetball for at least another few years.

IM: Who’s your best friend on the team?

GB: I love this group of guys. I can honestly say they are all good friends of mine. I'm probably closest with Bone Collector and Pat The Roc. 

IM: Describe your background and how you were raised?

GB: I am from Keizer, Oregon, a small suburban city outside of Salem, Oregon. I was raised by both of my parents and had a great upbringing. I have a younger brother as well. As a family we loved basketball. My parents were very supportive of my brother and I's love for the game. Always sending us to camps and clinics, helping coach our AAU teams, and always remaining supportive. 

IM: Biggest role model growing up?

GB: My biggest role model growing up was my dad. I used to watch his men's league games for years. His love for the game, motivation and competitive edge wore off on me at a young age. Other role models I had we're a coach named Rodney Howard who I started training with in 5th grade, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler.

IM: Motto that you live by?

GB: I don't really have a motto really. I just try to grow everyday and live like God calls us to in his word(The Bible). 

IM: I know you are a very faithful Christian. How has that affected who you are today?

GB: Surrendering my life to Christ in late 2010 has changed me as a person 180 degrees. I used to live a life that was centered around myself ultimately. Chasing fame and wealth. Now I try to live for God, serve others and try to love the way were called to in the Bible. Ultimately trying to lead them to Christ as well. A verse that stood out to me in the bible is in Matthew 19:30 when Jesus had an interaction with a rich man, he ended by saying 'But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.' Referring to people who are viewed as 'first' in status and live striving to be served, as opposed to people who are viewed as 'last' and live striving to serve others, honoring God. That among other wisdom really set in with me and motivated me to want to ultimately serve God in life.

IM: Best and worst parts about having to travel all the time?

GB: Best parts of traveling all the time is that I get to experience different cultures around the world that I wouldn't have been able to without basketball and interacting with fans from other countries on a closer level. Worst parts are long lines at airports, often being jet lagged and maintaining relationships while not being around as much as you'd like.

IM: Biggest influence on you since you got into streetball?

GB: From a playing standpoint Skip [2 My Lou (Rafer Alston)] had the biggest influence on me since I've been in streetball being that he was featured on the first And 1 Mixtape. When I first saw that tape that really introduced me to a whole new style of play and inspired me to take my game to another level. Socially definitely Escalade had the biggest influence on me. He was always a dude I could get honest advice from and one of the older guys who I was friends with outside of basketball.

IM: What’s your go-to move?

GB: My go to move when playing regular ball is just a hesitation, which usually leads to a quick bucket. My go to streetball moves are probably the Insane Spin move or Baseline Behind the Back.

IM: Whats your most memorable moment, both on and off the court?

GB: My most memorable moment on the court was playing at Madison Square Garden in 2003 and winning the And 1 contract a week later. My most memorable moment off the court was probably the plane ride home back to Oregon after winning the contract. I remember thinking what a trip it was to have been working at a grocery store full time while riding the bench at a community college the previous season, improving my game tons during the spring then becoming a professional basketball player after the summer. Looking back now it was all part of Gods plan for my life. Crazy.

IM: Whats your favorite place you’ve visited?

GB:  My favorite place I've visited internationally I'd say was Angola, Africa. To see people in such heavy poverty, even heavier than most 3rd world countries but be so happy and content was amazing. I did a clinic out there in 2010 while it was 110 degrees out and the kids couldn't have been more enthusiastic, loving and appreciative. The fans there were amazing as well. Overall though I always shock people when I tell them LA is my favorite place I've been of all time. I don't think any place compares to America really. It's cool to visit places but we have it so good here and LA(where i live) is my favorite US city being that there's tons to do, the beach is near and the average weather is not too hot nor too cold while the sun is always shining.

IM: Most rewarding part of being a professional streetball player?

GB: The most rewarding part of being a professional basketball player is that I have a platform which gives me the opportunity to influence tons of people around the world. 

IM: You’re 1 on 1 with a defender, what are you thinking?

GB: Usually thinking sarcastically 'thanks for the easy bucket, appreciate you'  [laughs]

IM: What was your biggest setback groing up?

GB: I think my biggest set back growing up was when I was cut from the Varsity team and had to play JV as a Junior. Now you wouldn't think that'd be the biggest but it was. I wasn't into hanging out, partying or girls when I was younger. It was all about hoops. So with that being said that really hurt my pride but it ended up being great for me in the long run.

IM: Why do you wear the #12?

GB: I've worn #12 since I was in about 1st or 2nd grade. Then I kept wearing it as I got older because usually the jerseys would go in order by size and 12 would often be the smallest one they had. After awhile I just became used to it and kept it. 

IM: Since you became ‘The Professor’, how has your life changed?

GB: When I became known as The Professor in 2003, my life changed pretty dramatically. Some things that shocked me that I noticed immediately were that I was recognized everywhere I went, I could no longer blend in with a crowd, I no longer was an under dog whenever I went to play ball, people would try and be my friend that didn't always have good intentions.  Some good things were that I could fully support myself without struggling or depending on my parents, I was able to focus all my time on hoops, I bought a decent car and was able to hook up my friends and family with a lot And 1 shoes and gear.

IM: Talk about your acting career off the court, as you have appeared in a few movies and commercials?

GB: My acting career jumped off in 2007 when I went to an open casting for the movie Semi-Pro. I landed a roll as an extra who plays against Will Ferrell's team in the last basketball scene of the movie. Then later that year I filmed a movie called 'Ball Don't Lie' where I landed the lead role as a High School basketball player with OCD who deals with the struggles of foster care life while having a passion for the game of basketball and trying to earn a scholarship. It never released but is still set to set some point. I had a guess spot on a couple of different TV shows that never were released as well. I continue pursuing things here and there acting wise but spend most if my time on hoops these days.

IM: Aside from streetball, you’ve played some more organized basketball. Why did you do this, and how is it different from streetball?

GB: Right. I played in the IBL in 2005 and the CBA 2007-2008. I had always wanted to make the NBA and was making an attempt at chasing that dream. I stopped late 2008 because I realized with barely any college experience or 1st division over seas it was going to be hard to get a look by the NBA. So it was either quit streetball and invest the next 5 or 6 years chasing a roster spot in the league or build on the streetball legacy that I had built. I decided that itd be more innovative and my legacy would actually be bigger building on the streetball legacy I already built up to that point. Having a roster spot in the league is great and pays decent but at the end of the day it's not that secure of a position to be in and nobody really cares about dudes on the end of the bench. Too me the legacy and the mark I leave on the game means way more than any amount of money I could ever earn playing ball.

IM: After a strong senior season, you didn’t get any scholarship offers. How did that motivate you?

GB: It definitely motivated me to work harder and gave me some better perspective. But realistically had a feeling I wasn't going to get too many looks because I went to a 2A school which is close to the last division of high school ball in Oregon. So I had to walk on to the local community college in town (Chemeketa Community College) and earn the last spot on the team. 

IM: Whats the first thing that comes to mind when I say these words?

             Larry Bird Hoops?

           

            AND1?

            Professor?

GB:       Larry Bird Hoops –  “3 years old”

           

            AND1 – “Mixtape Tour.. Showtime!” 

            Professor – “Will school you” 

IM: If someone asked who Grayson Boucher is, how would you answer?

GB: I would say 'that's me.[laughs]. I think your asking how would I describe myself. I'm not good at that though so I don't know... I'd probably have someone else who knows me answer that instead. [laughs]

IM: Who’s the greatest pretzel-buyer of all time?

GB: Hands down Ivan McGovern holds that title single handedly!!!!!! [laughs]

Tamika Catchings: WNBA Superstar

Tamika Catchings is a 6 time WNBA All Star, WNBA Champion, 2011 WNBA MVP, and 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist. She is also the first person to have a recorded quintuple double when she was in high school. Her final statline that game was 25 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals, and 10 blocks.

Ivan McGovern: Describe your background about how you were raised, and how that has shaped you into who you are today.

Tamika Catchings: I was raised in a sports family. My father, Harvey Catchings, played in the NBA so in between moving around when I was young as he went to different teams, sports was introduced early to us. I also was born with a hearing and speech problem in which I had to wear hearing aids. As a child, I was always the one that got teased for the way I looked, the way I talked or the hearing aids in my ears. That’s how sports became so important to me. On the playing field, I knew that if I practiced and got really good no one could make fun of me for any of my disabilities. I used sports and faith as the two outlets that could keep me “safe.” That has shaped me into the person that I am today because my faith, basketball and my family are my top 3 priorities. I love giving back to the community, and I love what I do as far as basketball goes, but God and my family have been there for me when nothing else was.

IM: Who was the most inspirational person for you growing up, and at what moment did you realize you could play professionally?

TC: Most inspirational people for me growing up was my parents. They have been there for me through all of my ups and downs. And, the support that they have shown me, and the tools that they have given me to succeed has allowed me to be in the position that I’m in today.

IM: How do you want to be remembered as a player, and what were some of the most memorable moments of your career?

TC: I want to be remembered for the tenacity that I played with, and the love that seems to flow through every moment that I’m out there. I can’t imagine looking at the opportunities of playing basketball as a “job.” God has blessed me so much and has allowed me a platform to not only be great on the basketball court, but to also be great off the court in the community with my Catch the Stars Foundation.

My memorable playing moments span from, pretty much, my high school years to this past year in winning a WNBA Championship. Winning is not everything to me, but the people that I was fortunate to play with on so many different levels and so many different teams is what has made each moment so special.

IM: What did it mean to become a WNBA Champion this year, and how does the WNBA Championship compare to your gold medals?

TC: Every single basketball player on whatever level they play at achieves to be a champion. After 11 years of playing in the WNBA and each year feeling like “this is the year.” Finally… is the word that sums up winning a WNBA ship. It’s still surreal to think about 2012 and the amazing things that were accomplished and to come out as a Gold Medalist and a WNBA Champion in the same year. I can honestly say- Simply Amazing!

I don’t know if there’s even a comparison between the WNBA Championship and the gold medals. Both of them are equally amazing, and the path to achieve both were something that I’ll never forget.

IM: In the 2012 Playoffs, you had a +22 efficiency rating. What made you so effective?

TC: My teammates are what made my efficiency so effective. The support that I got from each one of them and the tenacity that they all played with allowed me to play at the level that I did. It’s so much easier when the people around you are able to step up in critical situations. Every single one of my teammates stepped up when they needed to.

IM: You got a 4.0 GPA during your final undergrad semester at the University of Tennessee. Why was it so important to work so hard academically for you? What do you think about how players nowadays tend to go one year of college before jumping to the pros?

TC: It was important to me to get a 4.0 during my final semester because that was one of my goals I had heading into college. I’m a very goal oriented person, so knowing that I could study and work really hard to achieve it, that’s what I did. As far as the players that jump to the pros, to each their own. How can you stop someone from leaving at the prime of their career to earn millions with so many injuries on the line? I do think education is really important, but I don’t know if it’s our choice to make a decision for a young man/woman looking to go pro because we don’t know their background or the reasons to why they decide to do what they do.

IM: What do you do in practice that is crucial to your success, and do you have any superstitions in terms of preparation?

TC: I don’t have any superstitions in terms of preparation. And, I think the thing I do in practice that is crucial to my success is focus on one thing that I know I want to do better. For instance, I’ve been focusing on my pull up jump shot over here in China. Some days it falls, and some days it doesn’t, but knowing that I can mix it up will help me in my overall game.

IM: Who do you think you compare to in the NBA, and do you think there’s any WNBA player that could play in the NBA?

TC: Honestly, I don’t know for either question. People compare me to LeBron and DWade. I don’t know. I just try to go out there, do what I do and have fun while I’m doing it. : )

IM: I see you are a poetry writer. Do you have a sample or two?

TC: I do write poetry, and no I don’t have any samples. I haven’t written in a long time. Mostly now I’m focused on my Catch the Stars Foundation, on the computer or reading. I’ll get back into it soon I hope.

IM: What has been the toughest injury you’ve suffered? Mentally and physically?

TC: The toughest injury I suffered from mentally and physically is my Achilles back in 2007.  It was tough because even through the injuries that I had before that, NOTHING compared to the pain that I felt through that one. Even looking back on it, I can feel it and replay it in my head. Game three at Detroit and we just had to work so hard. Kind of reminds me of what RG3 just went through. You want to win so bad and will the team to a win, and it takes more than just you.