AND1 Basketball Star Urges Fans ‘Be More Present and Enjoy the Process’

Published: June 10, 2024

AND1 Basketball Star Urges Fans ‘Be More Present and Enjoy the Process’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Grayson Boucher made his mark in the AND1 basketball league and later took over YouTube with videos of him in a Spider-Man costume playing basketball. He’s now sharing his takeaways from his storied career.

Movieguide® reported:

Boucher went on to explain that his main motivation for starting a YouTube channel was to acquire more bookings, but a close friend suggested that he could go viral because he already had nearly half a million views on some of his videos.

“I’m on spiritual steroids, right? I just came to Christ. I’m that immature Christian now,” he said. “I’m just like we ain’t got time for nothing but God. So, we’re like how can we do one that honors God.”

That’s when Boucher decided to post a basketball video of him playing guys one-on-one while wearing a Spider-Man costume.

“Man, there’s so many takeaways, but two stick out to me that I’ve just been thinking about recently,” Boucher said on the “Deep End Podcast” with Christian rap artist Lecrae. “This probably doesn’t summarize the whole thing, but I do think even as we talk, like, having mentorship is huge.”

“So, spiritual or whatever, you need those. But even like as we talked about basketball, if I met my homie Mike Penberthy — he’s like player development coach of the Lakers,” Boucher continued. “Like if I met him in high school, I probably would be in the league or at least gave it a nice run.”

Throughout his career, Boucher found himself looking ahead to the next phase, but he learned that being present is key.

“Just be more present and kind of enjoy the process as you go,” he said of his second takeaway from his career. “One weakness of mine, even spiritually, is I get too caught up in the grind and the business.”

When he was chasing “the grind,” Boucher didn’t feel content because he was always striving for the next big thing instead of resting in what God was doing in his life at the present moment.

The athlete gave his life to Christ in 2009 and has been open about his faith since then.

In a 2012 tweet, Boucher wrote, “Chase Gods calling for your life, not money Jesus said in.. Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

He continued with a second verse: “Matthew 6:24 – ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other…..or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

He continues to use his platform to encourage others, especially kids.

“Have a great message to the kids and make an effort to spread the word of God through basketball,” he told Bleacher Report in 2013. “I gave my life to Jesus Christ in like 2009, so I really try to use my career and everything for the kids and anyone else who wants to follow me.”

He hosts Crossed Up University where he teaches young hoopers.

“From the old school to the new school to current day, outside of God sustaining me, a huge part of what has got me through has been the dedication to perfecting the craft. Looking forward to igniting a new generation of hoopers on that same wave with Crossed Up University,” Boucher posted.