Full Circle in Celtics Green: Chris Boucher and Payton Pritchard Reunite, From Oregon Glory to Boston’s Championship Dreams
From the roaring crowds in Eugene to the parquet floor of TD Garden, the basketball journey of Chris Boucher and Payton Pritchard has traveled thousands of miles—yet has never strayed too far from destiny. The former Oregon Ducks, once separated by years in college and different paths in the NBA, are now reunited in Boston, where their bond, forged in college green and yellow, finds new meaning in Celtics green and white.
This reunion is more than just a nostalgic storyline; it’s a reminder that connections forged in college often resurface when least expected. For Boucher and Pritchard, it’s an opportunity to recreate some of the magic they once shared under coach Dana Altman, now on a bigger stage and with even higher stakes.
Chris Boucher’s path has never been conventional. Born in Saint Lucia and raised in Montreal, Boucher didn’t even start playing organized basketball until his late teens. After stints in junior college and a meteoric rise at Oregon, he became one of the most electrifying shot-blockers in the country. His senior season was derailed by a torn ACL, which impacted his NBA draft stock. Still, his talent earned him a contract with the Golden State Warriors before blossoming into a key contributor with the Toronto Raptors.
Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard was the homegrown hero in Eugene. A native of West Linn, Oregon, he was a four-year starter at point guard for the Ducks and developed a reputation as one of the most clutch, composed floor generals in the nation. By his senior season, Pritchard was a consensus All-American, leading Oregon deep into March Madness and cementing his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Though their time at Oregon never overlapped on the court—Boucher left after the 2016-17 season, and Pritchard’s senior season came in 2019-20—the two shared the Ducks’ identity, values, and grit. Now in Boston, they’re combining that Oregon DNA to help the Celtics remain a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics acquired Chris Boucher in a quiet yet strategic move this offseason. With his ability to stretch the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense, Boucher gives Boston added depth behind Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. More importantly, he brings energy and a defensive presence that has often defined Celtics teams in championship pursuit.
Pritchard, on the other hand, is coming off a breakout postseason run. After spending much of the regular season in a backup role, he seized every opportunity during Boston’s 2024 playoff run. His fearless shooting, relentless pace, and dogged defense made him a fan favorite, and the Celtics rewarded that belief by keeping him firmly in their long-term plans.
Now reunited, Boucher and Pritchard could form a compelling bench tandem. Their familiarity with one another from Oregon gives them a head start in terms of chemistry, and their contrasting styles—Boucher’s length and shot-blocking, Pritchard’s speed and perimeter shooting—offer a dynamic blend that fits perfectly within Boston’s evolving system.
But the reunion isn’t just about on-court potential. It also carries a sense of mutual respect and shared history that binds these two players more deeply than a box score can show.
When asked about reconnecting with Boucher, Pritchard recently said, “Chris was someone I looked up to when I was a young guy coming into Oregon. His story is inspiring—he’s been through so much and never gave up. To play alongside him now in the NBA? It’s pretty special.”
Boucher echoed those sentiments: “Payton is a dog. I saw that in him even before we played together. He’s always had that leadership, that fight. Now we’re both in Boston, trying to win something bigger.”
That “something bigger” is a championship. And both Boucher and Pritchard know what it takes to fight uphill battles. For Boucher, it was the battle for recognition after going undrafted, the struggle through injury, and the slow grind to carve out a role in the league. For Pritchard, it’s been about proving that a 6-foot-1 guard without elite athleticism can still dominate through IQ, toughness, and work ethic.
Their shared time at Oregon laid the foundation for what they’ve become: high-level NBA contributors who play bigger than their resumes suggest. Now with Boston, they’re tasked with something that transcends individual accolades—contributing to the legacy of one of the most storied franchises in basketball history.
And the timing couldn’t be better. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown entering their prime, and a roster built to contend now, the Celtics don’t just want to win—they expect to. Every role player, every rotation minute, every moment matters. And that’s where Boucher and Pritchard come in.
Pritchard has already proven he can hit the biggest shots in the biggest moments. Remember the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals? His back-to-back threes in Game 3 against Milwaukee swung the momentum when the Celtics needed it most. His fearless shooting, especially in transition, gives Boston a change-of-pace weapon that few teams can match.
Meanwhile, Boucher offers a rare combination of floor spacing and rim protection. In today’s NBA, bigs who can switch on the perimeter and still block shots are invaluable. Boucher not only fits that mold, but also brings a high motor and relentless hustle, two traits Celtics fans have always adored in their role players.
There’s also the personality match. Both players bring quiet intensity rather than vocal bravado. They let their play speak for them—something that has always resonated with Boston’s blue-collar ethos. In a city that celebrates grit as much as glamour, Pritchard and Boucher are tailor-made Celtics.
And their Oregon connection adds a layer of charm to the story. It’s not often that two players from the same college program end up together in the NBA, let alone on a championship-contending team. That shared past isn’t just trivia—it’s the fabric of a story still being written.
In the Celtics locker room, those roots matter. Relationships, familiarity, and trust go a long way during a long, grueling season. For Boucher and Pritchard, those seeds were planted years ago in the Pac-12, watered by adversity, and now finally blooming in Boston.
As the 2025 season begins, fans will get their first true look at this Oregon reunion in action. Whether it’s a pick-and-pop play between Pritchard and Boucher, or both men sparking a run with back-to-back hustle plays, the Ducks-to-Celtics connection is bound to be one of the under-the-radar stories of the season.
But maybe it won’t stay under the radar for long. Because if Boston makes another deep playoff run—and if Boucher and Pritchard are key pieces in that puzzle—then this story of full-circle redemption, resilience, and reunion will be impossible to ignore.
From Eugene to Boston, it’s been quite the journey. But for Chris Boucher and Payton Pritchard, the best chapter might just be beginning.
