Grayson “The Professor” Boucher is a streetball icon, a YouTube pioneer with over a billion views, and one of the most electrifying ball handlers to ever touch asphalt. He’s also the kid who almost worked in an Oregon grocery store before walking into an AND1 open tryout at 18 and walking out with a spot on the Mixtape Tour.
Now, more than two decades later, Boucher just had a full-circle moment — and it happened on a basketball court in Compton.
On Friday, February 13, AND1 hosted its “Paint the Park” event at South Park, located at 1300 E Caldwell Street, as part of the brand’s community programming during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
According to the press release, the free, public event ran from 1 to 4 p.m. and featured the unveiling of a fully renovated neighborhood basketball court, a custom community mural by Los Angeles artist Mike Norice, AND1 product gifted to local youth, food trucks, music from DJ Trauma, and a celebration with legendary AND1 Mixtape Tour athletes.
The event wasn’t just a feel-good afternoon in Compton, though. It marked The Professor’s official return to AND1 after a roughly 15-year absence, part of a landmark multi-year endorsement and leadership deal announced through his new representation with Reign Maker Talent. The partnership names Boucher as AND1’s Director of Talent and includes the launch of his own signature AND1 footwear and streetwear line.
“Returning to AND1 allows me to build on the foundation that helped shape my career,” Boucher said in an official statement. “This role allows me to continue to innovate the future of the game as well as create real pathways for the next generation to express themselves on and off the court.”
The Paint the Park event was promoted as a stacked affair. Secret Los Angeles reported that Emma Sharif was expected to attend, along with Lance Stephenson and a deep lineup of AND1 Mixtape Tour names, including Hot Sauce, AO, Shane the Dribbler, Pharmacist, Leaky Roof, White Iverson, Junebug, Hip Hop Harry, and Amir Smith.
“Thank you @and1 & artist @mikenorice for making South Park’s basketball courts look amazing,” the City of Compton wrote on Instagram following the festivities. “Today we held a ‘Paint the Park’ event to celebrate the park’s new look.”
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