Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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]

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