Deon Taylor is bringing one of streetball’s most unlikely success stories to the big screen. Hidden Empire Film Group and its sports division Hidden Empire Sports Collective will produce a feature film about Grayson “The Professor” Boucher, with Taylor directing from a screenplay by Brad Gann (Invincible, Soul Surfer).
The film follows Boucher as an undersized, unknown college basketball player from Keizer, Oregon who walks into an open tryout with the world’s greatest streetball players. Against all odds, he earns a spot on the highly stylized, international AND1 Mixtape Tour and goes on to play in more than 50 countries. He earned the nickname “The Professor” for his gift for schooling opponents on the court.
“Every generation gets an underdog story that reminds us what’s possible,” Taylor said. “Grayson wasn’t supposed to make the team, become a star, or change the game, but he did all three. His journey is about resilience, heart, and earning respect through relentless determination.”
Beyond the court, Boucher built one of the most impressive digital footprints in sports, amassing more than 25 million followers and more than 5 billion organic views as a sports influencer. He has also appeared in films including Semi-Pro, Ball Don’t Lie and Hustle. Earlier this year he rejoined AND1 as brand ambassador and director of talent, bringing his journey with the brand full circle.
“My entrance into the global basketball scene with AND1 streetball changed my life forever,” Boucher said. “I can’t wait for audiences to experience my journey on the big screen.”
Taylor, who also serves as Hidden Empire’s co-CEO, produces alongside Hidden Empire’s Roxanne Avent Taylor, Jay Lyons, David Nurse, Jason Pamer and Neil Sacker.
The film is the latest project from Hidden Empire Sports Collective, which also recently announced a documentary about NFL star Cameron Heyward examining his relationship with his late father Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and I Am Hoop, a docuseries exploring fatherhood, mentorship and elite youth basketball featuring NBA champion Trevor Ariza, NBA All-Star Zach Randolph and Boris Kodjoe.