Casually, Chris Boucher is today the active member of the Raptors who has worn the Toronto uniform for the longest time. And for the Montrealer, it has somehow become a vector of pride.
“There are people who thought I was only going to do a year or two,” Boucher told around twenty journalists on Tuesday afternoon in the Citadins gymnasium at UQAM in Montreal.
Because yes, the Raptors are in the Quebec metropolis in this first week of training camp. They will play their first preseason game on Sunday, at the Bell Center, against the Washington Wizards.
But now, when it’s been six, seven years, I’m no longer the person [ici depuis le plus longtemps] in the team. My advice is more listened to. My coaches have more confidence in me, too.
Chris Boucher
The Quebecer is now 31 years old. He arrived in the Queen City in the summer of 2018, at age 25, after a season in the Golden State Warriors organization, champion team in 2018. The Raptors won the title in 2019.
Since then, Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have ended up being traded. On Monday, team president Masai Ujiri suggested the Raptors were in a “rebuild.” It must be said that the 2022-2023 season was one of the worst in franchise history, with a 25-57 record. Worse still, the organization had sold its valuable first-round pick a year earlier, in an ill-advised trade to get Jakob Poeltl.
Jacob who? That’s it.
“You can’t imagine what adventure you’re embarking on,” says Boucher, when asked about his journey in the greatest basketball circuit in the world.
“I was like, ‘OK, I’m playing for the Raptors, in the NBA, that’s great.’ But when you realize that there are some who don’t play as long, or that they play for a long time but that they don’t win a championship… I was lucky enough to do both. I am truly grateful. It shows in the way I play now. »
His head coach Darko Rajaković, who said he was “impressed” by the work that the Quebecer accomplished this summer, sees him as a veteran.
PHOTO CHRIS YOUNG, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Darko Rajaković, head coach of the Toronto Raptors
He is a player with experience in this league. He is capable of expressing his leadership with the younger players, but he can also contribute on the floor.
Darko Rajaković, Raptors head coach
Rajaković, who will be in his second year with Toronto, praises Boucher’s defensive qualities which will allow him to “integrate very well into the team” during the next campaign.
“He has worked on his body, he is stronger,” underlines the coach. He added a few pounds of muscle. He was disciplined in the gym. He gives me the confidence that he is ready to go to the next level. »
After 357 games in the NBA, mainly as a reserve or on the second unit, Boucher actually stands out on the defensive side. He averages 5.2 rebounds per game, for approximately 18 minutes of play, and 8.7 points per game.
But despite this experience, the Quebecer still says he is in “sponge” mode. He didn’t start playing basketball until he was 20 years old.
“I try to learn as much as I can,” he said. There’s a lot of confidence in me here, right now. I try to use it for a good cause. »
At UQAM and at home
Boucher seemed in his element at UQAM, in any case. When the media were finally allowed into the university gymnasium, almost two hours late than scheduled, Raptors number 25 was all smiles, gesticulating happily after his successful shots and playfully taunting his teammates in a little three-point shooting session.
It is pointed out to him that several RSEQ championship banners – notably the men’s and women’s basketball teams for their respective 2022-2023 seasons – are suspended above the floor. The Citadins also won the Quebec title in 2024. Was he aware of the success of the Citadins program?
SAXON LANE PHOTO, PROVIDED BY TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors, including Canadian RJ Barrett (second from left), at the Citadins de l’UQAM sports center, Tuesday
I have friends who play for UQAM, I have already played games here. I really know [le centre sportif]. I sometimes train here in the summer. I still know people who are on the team.
Chris Boucher
And even though the St. Lucia-born man returns to his adopted city every year, it remains “special to play in front of family, friends” in an NBA game.
“It gives me the opportunity to come back, to do activities with my teammates, to introduce them to the city. Most of them are trying to learn French right now! »
This is the first time that Darko Rajaković visits Montreal. “I took a walk last night, I discovered my coffee business this morning. I have a very nice impression [de la ville]. »
Davion Mitchell is a newcomer to the Raptors. So new that he didn’t even know Chris Boucher was from Montreal before speaking to the media.
“My girlfriend and I are going to explore the city today,” he said. It’s very good. But there is a lot of traffic! »