Chris Boucher is a professional NBA player who plays for Toronto Raptors. This Canadian-Saint Lucian basketball player had an interesting journey to become who he is today.
Today, Chris Boucher is among the rising stars in the NBA, with many awards and titles in his pockets.
He was awarded two-time NBA champion, NBA Most Valuable Player of the year, and NBA G League Defensive player.
Chris was a happy child who loved going to beaches and climbing coconut trees on a Caribbean island back then. But his life turned out when he decided to move to Montreal with his mother.
Boucher faced a harsh reality of life when he was just a teen. He dropped out of school and worked to earn money to sustain himself financially.
Chris was at that part of his life where he couldn’t even afford to dream. He knew he would never achieve them until a miracle happened.
But then miracles do happen when you work for it. Chris had signed up for a basketball website but hadn’t heard back. He probably even had forgotten about it.
But, the coaches found Chris, and he was given a life-changing opportunity to join Alma Academy, where he got the golden chance of fulfilling his dream; of becoming a professional basketball player.
This article will talk about the life story of Chris Boucher and how a teen who had no future became the future of the NBA.
But, before knowing him in detail, let’s know him quickly with his quick facts.
Quick Facts
| Name | Chris Boucher |
| Nick Name | Christopher Boucher |
| Nick Name | Slim Duck |
| Birth Date | January 11, 1993 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Birth Place | Castries, Saint Lucia |
| Nationality | Canadian / Saint Lucian |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Horoscope | Capricon |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | Jean-Guy Boucher |
| Mother’s Name | Mary McVane |
| Siblings | 2; Maxime Boucher (Brother) and Christel Boucher (Sister) |
| Education | Bachelors in Sociology |
| High School | Damase Boulanger |
| College |
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| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Not Available |
| Children | None |
| Profession | NBA Player |
| League | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| Professional Career Teams |
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| Position | Power forward |
| Draft In | 2017, Undrafted |
| Active Years | 2017-Present |
| Major Achievements |
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| Endorsements | Slim Jim |
| Net Worth | $6.5 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Funko Pop (Toronto Raptors) |
| Last Update | September, 2024 |
Chris Boucher | Early Life
Born on January 11, 1993, Chris Boucher grew up on a Caribbean island. When he was five years old, he traveled to Montreal, Canada, with his mother, Mary McVane, to see his Canadian Father, Jean-Guy Boucher.
He settled there with her mother. Later, his parents had two more children; brother Maxime Boucher and sister Christel Boucher.
But things got tough when her mother divorced his Father.
Boucher dropped out of high school when he was 16. He started to work as a chef and dishwasher in a restaurant in St.Hubert to support his family.
At that time, most of his age were preparing for college entrance exams for their bright future. But Chris was working most of the time, and he hated his job.
Chris was hopeless about his future and even wondered how he ended up being like that.
The Hope Found Through Basketball
Basketball was one of Boucher’s few bright spots in his life. Though he couldn’t play organized basketball in his school, the narrow allies were his basketball court, and neighborhood kids were the player.
Slowly, he felt skilled enough and at ease enough to join pickup games with strangers. He wanted to play professionally but had no idea where to start.
But he wanted to do everything he could do. So, he signed up for a local basketball website with two pieces of information: his name was Chris Boucher, and his height was 6 ft 8 inches.
Though the profile had nothing more on it, his height stood out, and the coaches were in denial if it was his actual height or a mistake.
So, the coaches Appiah and Igor Rwigema went to verify Chris Boucher. The coaches found him playing with the kids and figured out that they needed to help this kid find his dream.
Chris had never played organized basketball and wasn’t enrolled in school. So it seemed this guy had no future at all.
A Golden Ticket to a Brighter Future
At the time, Rwigema and Appiah were developing a program to take potential basketball players from impoverished backgrounds and place them in a learning setting in Alma, Quebec.
Thus, Alma Academy was created to provide hope to young, talented people. It was a program for guys like Chris, who had the ability but no choice.
Rwigema and Appiah offered Boucher the golden opportunity to join the program. Chris, who had nothing to lose, immediately said yes, but it was his family he couldn’t afford to leave behind.
The coaches got consent from his mother, who agreed to send Chris with them as it was the only way the Montreal native could have a brighter future. But, on the other hand, his Father did not care.
With this, Chris was set to step to the brighter side of his life.
Grooming to be a Basketball Player
At first, Boucher found it challenging to adjust to Alma’s system. The notion of breakfast, lunch, and supper and the strict homework and basketball practice routine took some time to sink in.
On top of that, Boucher was homesick. He was missing his mom and sister. But, far away from home, he was also making a family who saw him as more than just a failed teen but a potential basketball player.
One day, James Miller, coach at New Mexico Junior College, noticed him and was impressed by his basketball skill. With this, he was offered to play at New Mexico Junior College.
Boucher had just adjusted to living in Alma and was scared to move to New Mexico. But, he was determined. So, he left for New Mexico Junior College to play Basketball.
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Chris Boucher | Basketball Career
College Career
Chris Boucher averaged 11.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game at New Mexico Junior College in his first season.
He then transferred to Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, where he led the team to a 31–5 record and was voted NJCAA Player of the Year.
He averaged 22.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks a game that season, shooting 62.7 percent from inside the arc and 44.4 percent from three-point range.
That season, his 11.8 rebounds per game were sixth in junior college, while his 4.7 blocks per game ranked third.
Furthermore, Boucher transferred to Oregon after visiting some colleges. He selected Oregon over TCU, Minnesota, and Texas Tech.
Boucher was very thin and tall, which worried Ducks Coach, but his intensity later convinced him.
He faced up against Baylor’s Rico Gathers in his second game as a Duck on November 16, 2015, and scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. With 110 blocks, he set an Oregon single-season block record.
Boucher had 14 points, ten rebounds, and two steals in the Ducks’ NCAA Tournament Elite Eight loss to Oklahoma, 80–68.
In addition, Boucher was granted a hardship waiver following the 2015–16 season, allowing him to play one more season and finish his sociology degree.
He averaged 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his two years with the Ducks. He was nominated to the Pac-12 Defensive Team as a senior.
However, in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals versus California, an opposition player landed awkwardly on Boucher’s leg, which caused torn ACL, and he was declared out for the rest of the season.
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Professional Career
Golden State Warriors
Chris Boucher was never drafted into NBA due to his injury. However, he was signed to a two-way deal by the Golden State Warriors.
Boucher was one of the first players to sign up for the NBA’s new two-way contract policy, which went into effect that season.
After fully recovering from the ACL injury, the Saint Lucian athlete made his NBA debut on March 14, 2018, with the Golden State Warriors. It was a stellar debut game as he earned one rebound and a three-point attempt.
Furthermore, Boucher was a member of the Warriors championship team that defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games in the 2018 NBA Finals.
But, due to his contract, he could not participate in the playoffs. Boucher’s contract with Golden State Warriors expired on June 22, 2018.
Toronto Raptors
Boucher signed a two-year, $2 million free-agent contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 20, 2018. Later, the contract was converted to an NBA two-way deal.
Boucher scored 27.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks in 28 games with the Raptors’ NBA G League franchise, the Raptors 905.
In addition, he went on to win the G League’s Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year titles in 2018–19.
This made him the first player to clinch both awards simultaneously and the first overseas player to win the league MVP award. Also, he was chosen to be the first team of the NBA G League All-Stars.
In addition, Boucher became the only Canadian player to win an NBA championship with the league’s only Canadian club.
Boucher re-signed with the Raptors on a two-year deal worth $13.5 million on November 25, 2020.
Regarding his current gameplay, Boucher is one of the attractive athletes that any team would like to add to their roster. He is considered one of the top rebounders for the team.
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Chris Boucher | Girlfriend
Unfortunately, there is no information on Chris Boucher’s girlfriend and whether he is dating.
But he is most likely to be single at the moment. Chris has just started his basketball career and is more focused on that now.
On top of that, he has no rumors of affairs. Thus, he is currently in a relationship with his basketball career.
Chris Boucher | Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Chris Boucher is estimated to be $6.5 million (as of 2022). He earned his net worth as a professional NBA player.
Initially, Chris’s salary with Golden State Warriors was $77,250, as per hoopshype.com. Then, he signed a $2 million contract with Toronto Raptors for two years.
Apart from this, Chris also earns from sponsorship and brand endorsements. For instance, the Saint Lucian player is the brand ambassador of a snack brand named Slim Jim.
Social Media Presence
If you want a sneak peek at his life, follow him on his social media handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chris Boucher leaving the Raptors?
No, not very soon. Chris Boucher renewed his two-year contract with Toronto Raptors for 13.5 million. It’s unknown if he will leave after the contract ends, but he won’t be going to the Raptors now.
Why is Chris Boucher nicknamed Slim Duck?
Well, it probably has to do with his height and weight. Some Chris fans call him Slim Duck, as he looks too skinny based on his size. However, even he loves his nickname, and his Instagram user name is Slimduck.
