Chris Boucher seems to have it all figured out—or at least, he’s well on his way. After a rollercoaster tenure with the Toronto Raptors, marked by flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency, the Montreal native has landed in Boston, where he’s already carving out a new chapter. Off the court, he’s been delighted to discover Boston’s vibrant food scene, from sizzling steakhouses to authentic Haitian dishes that remind him of home. On the court, he’s embracing a fresh opportunity to contribute to a Celtics team hungry for another championship.
I caught up with Boucher after the third day of Boston’s training camp at the Auerbach Center. The gym was buzzing as he drained post-practice three-pointers, with assistant coaches DaSean Butler, Amile Jefferson, and Tyler Lashbrook corralling rebounds. With the preseason looming, Boucher was all business, but his easy smile and infectious energy hinted at a player rejuvenated by his new surroundings.
For seven years, Boucher called Toronto home, a short drive from his hometown of Montreal. His time with the Raptors was a mix of exhilarating highs and challenging lows. In 2019, he claimed a G League MVP award and an NBA championship ring, cementing his place in Raptors lore. In 2021 and 2022, he emerged as a key contributor, showcasing his versatility with 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season, while shooting an impressive 36.3% from three—his second-best career mark. Yet, the past two years brought inconsistency, with Boucher appearing in just 50 games each season on a rebuilding Raptors squad. Despite embracing a leadership role, his minutes were unpredictable, leaving him eager for a fresh start.
This offseason, Boucher’s priority was clear: find a team where he could make a meaningful impact. Boston, with its storied franchise and championship aspirations, was the perfect fit. “I wanted to be somewhere where they wanted me,” Boucher said, his voice steady with conviction. “It’s a lot easier when you come to a team like this, where they’re like, ‘Okay, we know we need you.’”
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With stars like Jayson Tatum sidelined and Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in new jerseys, the Celtics have voids to fill. Boucher, with his blend of athleticism, shooting, and defensive tenacity, believes he can step up. “I got a couple of their skills—if you put them all together,” he said with a grin, hinting at his ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and bring relentless energy.
Boucher’s motor is legendary. His college teammate and now-Celtic Payton Pritchard summed it up perfectly: “He never gets tired.” Boucher chuckled when I brought up Pritchard’s comment, revealing a secret weapon: his resting heart rate is an astonishing 36 beats per minute, far below the average adult’s 60-100. Part of it is genetics, but Boucher’s relentless work ethic has honed his body into a machine. “I’m always thinking, ‘If I’m tired now and I push through, the next time I get to that level, I won’t be tired,’” he explained. “When I work out, I try not to drink water, because if I can go without it, then with water, it’s a lot easier.”
This mindset has defined Boucher’s journey. Undrafted out of Oregon, he missed his first NBA season recovering from a torn ACL. Yet, through sheer determination, he transformed himself into a reliable rotation player, now entering his ninth season in the league. Signed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with Boston, Boucher has been a fixture at the Auerbach Center, tackling tough defensive assignments and hoisting extra shots. A new city, a new team, but the same grind. “I’ve been doing this my whole career,” he said, unfazed.
Before training camp kicked off, Boucher made a deeply personal decision: he wanted to be baptized. “I’ve been thinking about it the whole year,” he said. “When I knew I was coming here and everything was going to change, I thought, ‘Let me start the year the right way, get closer to God.’” Planning to return to Montreal for the ceremony, he shared the idea with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, whose reaction was immediate and heartfelt. “His eyes lit up,” Boucher recalled. “He was like, ‘Yeah, I want to come to that.’”
Mazzulla, along with assistant coach Amile Jefferson, made the trip to Montreal to support Boucher on his special day. For a veteran like Boucher, who’s seen the highs and lows of the NBA, the gesture was profound. “I’ve been in the league for a long time, and to see a coach who wants to be there for events like that is really special,” he said, his voice softening. “It’s rare to see that.”
This off-court connection has deepened their on-court dynamic. Mazzulla is famously intense, pushing his players to their limits, but Boucher welcomes the tough love. “When he talks to you and tells you stuff, you know he’s there for you,” Boucher said. “He wants me to get better.” With eight seasons under his belt, Boucher knows that silence from a coach is a worse sign than criticism. “The day he stops saying stuff to me, I’ll realize, ‘Okay, I might be out of this place,’” he said with a laugh. “If they’re giving you shit, they still need you.”
Many assumed Boucher would slot into a big-man role given Boston’s thin frontcourt, but he’s quick to clarify: “I’ve never wanted to be labeled as a big man.” At 6’9, he sees himself as a versatile forward, capable of guarding wings like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. “I’m fast enough to play a lot of different positions,” he said, pushing back against the center label that’s occasionally boxed him in.
Mazzulla’s coaching has been instrumental in helping Boucher find his footing. While defense was a cornerstone under Nick Nurse in Toronto, Boston’s system emphasizes deflections and calculated risks, paired with a premium on shooting. “Joe’s giving me a lot of structure on how to play smart,” Boucher said. “The Celtics have been good at that.”
Whether he starts or comes off the bench—a role he’s thrived in throughout his career—Boucher isn’t sweating the details. “If I tell myself I’m gonna be the best bench player, and they start me, that’s great news,” he said. “It’s always worked out for me.” As practice wrapped up, Mazzulla playfully ribbed Boucher like an old friend, a sign of the camaraderie already forming.
In Boston, Boucher has found more than just a new team—he’s found a renewed sense of purpose. The city’s culinary delights, from juicy steaks to soul-warming Haitian food, have made the transition sweeter. But it’s the chance to contribute to a contender, backed by a coach who’s invested in him both on and off the court, that has Boucher fired up for the season ahead.