News
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August 24, 2010
The Professor schools on nicknames
The Boost Mobile Elite 24 airs live on ESPNU Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Back in June 2003, when Grayson Boucher made the 45-minute drive from Keizer, Ore., over to Portland to catch the And1 Mixtape Tour, the most popular streetball exhibition in the world, he hadn't planned on suiting up.
"I was such a fan," Boucher said. "I was more than content with just watching."But when he found out that And1 was looking for unknown streetballers to accompany them on tour, he decided to tryout at the open run.
"I took a shot," Boucher said. "I figured I was better than the guys who were trying out. I just went out there and did my thing."
By the end of the game, Boucher had gotten picked for the tour and received a baller's highest appointment: a nickname.
"They called me 'The Professor' because I was schooling everyone on the court," Boucher said. "It's kind of unheard of to get a nickname that early, but it can happen. Everyone calls me that now."
Seven years later, The Professor is one of the world’s most famous streetball player.
Now he's giving the participants of the 2010 Boost Mobile Elite 24 tips on how to leave Venice Beach, Calif., with the distinct honor of an alias.
Be extraordinary.
"Not every aspect of your game, just one thing needs to be really extraordinary. It could be crazy handles, a crazy jump shot, crazy jumping ability ... There's a common misconception that it has to be an offensive thing, but that's not exactly true. A lot of times it is, but I've seen a lot of guys build their reps off of a lot of things other than what they do offensively. Whatever your hook is, it needs to be extraordinary."
Be original.
"Take guys on the And1 Mixtape tour, the ones that most people know have something that they're known for. It's their trademark almost. Take a guy like 720, he got that name because one time in a game he did two 360-dunks in a row without coming down. No one is doing that! Take me, I'm original because I've got a streetball game and I'm a white guy. Same with Air Up There ... Originality is very important, and, don't get me wrong, that is hard because we've done almost every move that can be done."
Be consistent.
"The reality is that, for the most part, everyone who can ball can hit you with a nice crossover or any type of nice move every once in a while. But you have to do it consistently when you're trying to get a nickname. It's got to be who you are, even if it's just for the Elite 24. You've got to go at the guy guarding you and consistently get him with moves time and time again."
Be a showman.
"This might be the most important one. The entire culture of streetball is showy. You're trying to show the other man up and when you get the reaction from the crowd for making a nice move you have to play to the crowd in your own way. Like me, I'm more laid back and humble, so I don't do too many crazy things. Even that is playing up to the crowd because I just act like this is what I do. Then take a guy like A.O., if he gets somebody with a nice move toward the end of the fourth quarter he starts taking everything off and throwing it into the crowd. Shirt, shorts, shoes, socks ... People go crazy when he does that."
Be a stopper.
"If you're doing your thing and going at your man and getting him with moves you've got to know that he's gonna be coming back at you every chance that he can. The true essence of streetball is competition, but you can't let him just get you back every time. You've got to make some stops. It can't be a situation where you're going back and forth taking turns doing each other in. It's like a battle and you've got to be the winner."Source: ESPN
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July 10, 2010
Boucher and Co. put on a show at ASU
Grayson “The Professor” Boucher and his teammates wow the crowd at Albany State University Friday, beating Team Albany, 156-139.
ALBANY — Grayson Boucher —better known by his street-ball persona “The Professor” — said winning was the main thing going through his mind Friday.
That didn’t stop him from putting on a ball-handling clinic.
Boucher and his team, AND1, captivated the many fans who saw them defeat Team Albany, 156-139, at Albany State University’s HPER gym in the Kings of the South Basketball Game.
The inaugural showcase — dubbed “AND 1 Street Legends vs. Albany’s finest” — was organized by Fred Pickett and Albany-native and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch.
The game served as the kickoff to The Battle of the South Basketball Tournament and Branch’s own football camp, which both start today.
“The purpose of this event is to bring something to the community,” said Pickett. “We hoped to give (the community) something that they hadn’t seen in a long time.”
As for the game itself, from the opening tip, the AND1 Legends jumped ahead of Albany’s finest, which was composed of local talent and sponsored by J.L. Litman Memorial Funeral Home.
AND1 high-flyer Robert Martin, aka “50” was the go-to-guy in the beginning of the first period and, to the contrary, did most of his damage from the outside rather than with his signature, rim-rattling dunks.
“The fans support and really appreciate us being out here,” Martin said.
Team Albany also put on as good show for the crowd, compiling their collection of signature moments. But in ordinance with what the fans paid $10 to see, the AND1 Street Legends turned the game solely into a high-rising affair courtesy of timely passes from “The Professor” to notable gravity-defying plays from “The Air Up There” and “Sky-High,” who finished with crowed pleasing jams.
“It got a little flat out there so I knew it was time to turn it up,” said Boucher.” I started pushing it and luckily, dunkers were open.”
And that’s just what he did, as his 1-on-5 dribbling-affairs resulted in defender confusion that was acknowledge with “Oohs” and “Ahhs” from the crowd.
When he was done making the defenders chase their tails, he would throw the ball somewhere near the rim, where a member of his team would be waiting to deliver it ferociously through the net.
And the crowd cheered.
At the end of the first half, Team AND 1 led 78-55. In the second half, Team Albany tried to make it a game, cutting the score to 109-100, but Team AND 1 ironically turned up its defense, which led to a number of turnovers that helped them build back their lead and coast to a victory.
The crowd was the main concern of all parties involved.
“When the crowd is going wild is the best feeling and that’s the reason we really do this,” said Boucher.
Branch agreed.
“I was just trying to bring a different feel to the city,” Branch said.
“This is just the beginning of it. Probably next year, I may do this with my whole weekend and probably have a flag football or a softball game as well.”Source: Albany Herald
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May 25, 2009
Ball Don't Lie at Seattle Film Festival May 30 and June 1
In Seattle next weekend? Go see Grayson Boucher in "Ball Don't Lie" May 30th and June 1st. For tickets and more info, check out the Seattle International Film Festival site.
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May 7, 2009
"Ball Don't Lie" Premieres this June
Grayson Boucher's movie, "Ball Don't Lie," is being released soon! Also starring Kim Hidalgo, Nick Cannon, Ludacris, Rosanna Arquette and Emilie de Raven, the movie's website is now up. Check it out here.
For production stills and behind the scenes shots, you can get to Grayson's "Ball Don't Lie" photo page here and watch the trailer here.
Source: Ball Don't Lie
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March 25, 2009
The Professor at Ball Up's Street Ball Tour in L.A.
Check out pics of Grayson "The Professor" Boucher at Ball Up's 1st Annual Street Ball Tour at the Dub Auto Show in Los Angeles. Click here.
Source: www.graysonboucher.net
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November 3, 2008
Sports Illustrated: The Other Game
SI profiles the origins of the AND 1 basketball revolution. "The Professor nailed the AND 1 trifecta: Into the building, onto the bus, on the dotted line."
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October 17, 2008
Sole
Grayson shows off his kicks and reflects on the pressure of the Survivor style elimination of his first And 1 tour.
Source: SOLE
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October 17, 2008
Becket Basketball
Becket Basketball has dropped a line of AND 1 Mix Tape Tour trading cards. Alongside the Professor is Hot Sauce, Main Event and Escalade.
Source: Becket Media
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October 17, 2008
AND 1
In a 6 page pictorial, AND 1 Magazine discusses Grayson’s meteoric rise on the Mix Tape Tour and the genesis of his nickname. With a mix of in action and at home pictures, the Professor shows off.
Source: AND 1 Magazine
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October 16, 2008
The Source
Source reflects on the genesis and the moon shot rocket of success the And1 Tour has been riding. Along with The Professor the article takes a look at Allen “AO” Owens and Tony “Go Get It” Jones.
Source: The Source
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October 16, 2008
Mass Appeal
Want to cook like the Professor? No, the other kind of cooking.. with food! While he admits his culinary expertise may not match his skills on the court, Grayson takes a minute to explain the secrets of Sugary, Peanut Buttery Toast.Source: Mass Appeal
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October 16, 2008
CU Brass
So how has The Professor’s life changed since joining the And 1 tour? While it’s sometimes hard to ignore the marriage proposal written on signs during the games and the raw energy of the fans but he tries to remain grounded. When hanging out with friends “We really don’t talk about basketball that much” and prefers the quieter towns of Portland and Pheonix.Source: Brass CU
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October 16, 2008
ESPN: The Magazine
“Yo, check out the white boy.” ESPN The Magazine has an in-depth profile of The Professor’s career with And 1 . “Just a little while ago, I was going to school and working on my game,” he says. “Now I am getting paid to do what I love. Crazy.” He also reflects on working with his hero Rafer “Skip To My Lou” Alston.
Source: ESPN The Magazine
