The story of streetball star Grayson “The Professor” Boucher is getting the feature film treatment.
The film will be produced by Hidden Empire Film Group and its sports division, Hidden Empire Sports Collective, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Deon Taylor (Traffic, Black and Blue, The Intruder).
Taylor, who is also co-CEO of Hidden Empire, will produce the film along with Hidden Empire’s Roxanne Avent Taylor, Jay Lyons, David Nurse, Jason Paymer and Neil Thacker. The screenplay by Brad Gunn (Invincible, Soul Surfer) begins with Boucher, then a diminutive and unknown college basketball player from Keizer, Oregon, attending an open tryout with the world’s best streetball players. Boucher earned a spot on the highly stylized international AND1 Mixtape Tour, performing in over 50 countries. He was nicknamed “The Professor” for his ability to “educate” players on the court.
An early synopsis explains, “More than just a basketball movie, this is a story about resilience, self-confidence, and the courage to pursue impossible dreams.”
But what makes Boucher even more unique is how he ultimately parlayed his on-court accomplishments into a venerable digital brand, introducing streetball to a new generation. As a sports influencer, Boucher has over 25 million followers and over 5 billion organic views. He has also appeared in several films such as ‘Semi-Pro’, ‘Ball Don’t Lie’ and ‘Hustle’. Earlier this year, Boucher rejoined AND1 in early 2026 as brand ambassador and talent director, bringing the brand full circle.
“When I first contacted Deon, we immediately talked about this film. As soon as I learned about his basketball history and respect for the industry and his previous work, it was clear that he was the perfect person to produce and direct this project. I am blown away by what he has built with the Hidden Empire films, the team over there, and the vision they have moving forward. AND1 Breaking into the global basketball scene with Streetball changed my life forever, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience my journey on the big screen. ”
News of the project was announced after Boucher performed with Taylor at the NBA Summer League Film Festival in Las Vegas on Thursday. In conversation, the two spoke about the cultural influence and legacy of the AND1 movement, the rise of street basketball as a global sport, and Boucher’s trajectory from aspiring player to one of the most influential and recognizable figures in basketball entertainment.
“Every generation has underdog stories that remind us of what’s possible, and this is one of those stories,” Taylor said. “Grayson wasn’t supposed to make the team, be a star, or change the game. But he did all three. His journey is also about winning respect through resilience, heart, and relentless determination. It’s proof that an extraordinary life isn’t defined by the expectations placed on us, but by the courage we have to defy them. That’s the kind of story Hidden Empire Sports Collective was created to tell.
The film will be Hidden Empire Sports’ latest project. The company also recently released a documentary centered around NFL star Cameron ‘Cam’ Hayward. The film, directed by Deon Taylor, depicts Hayward’s relationship with his late father, Craig “Ironhead” Hayward, who also played in the league. Hidden Empire is also behind the vertical micro-drama “I am Hoop,” a documentary series that explores fatherhood, coaching, and preparation for life through the world of elite youth basketball. NBA Champion Trevor Ariza, NBA All-Stars Zach Randolph, Boris Kodjoe, and former professional basketball player Deon Taylor are featured in the project.
Deon Taylor, Roxanne Avent Taylor and Hidden Empire Film Group are represented by CAA.
