Chris Herren: From Basketball Prodigy to Advocate for Recovery
Christopher Albert Herren, born on September 27, 1975, is an American former professional basketball player whose career took him from high school stardom to the NBA and overseas leagues. However, his journey was significantly impacted by substance use, a battle he has since overcome to become a motivational speaker and advocate for recovery.
Early Life and High School Career
Herren's roots run deep in the basketball community of Fall River, Massachusetts. He attended B.M.C. Durfee High School from 1990 to 1994, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, older brother, and three uncles who all played basketball for the school. Herren left an indelible mark on Durfee High, amassing a total of 2,073 points, a school record that still stands. His exceptional performance earned him accolades, including The Boston Globe and Gatorade Player of the Year honors during his senior year.
College Career: High Expectations and Challenges
Herren's talent attracted attention from top college basketball programs. He initially committed to Boston College, even turning down offers from the University of Kentucky and Duke University. The hype surrounding his arrival at Boston College was considerable, with a feature in Sports Illustrated highlighting his potential for success.
However, his college career was marred by challenges. Before even playing a game, Herren failed a drug test for marijuana and cocaine use. Despite this setback, he made his debut for Boston College on November 25, 1994, scoring 14 points in 21 minutes. Unfortunately, he broke his wrist in the same game, sidelining him for the remainder of the 1994-1995 season.
After being dismissed from Boston College, Herren transferred to Fresno State to play under coach Jerry Tarkanian. Once again, he was met with high expectations, even being featured in Rolling Stone magazine. He debuted as a sophomore on December 10, 1996, impressing everyone at practice. He averaged 31 points per game over his last four games. Herren finished the season averaging 17.5 points per game.
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However, on November 25, 1997, Herren failed another drug test. Both his exploits on and off the court as well as his mid-season crash after failing that drug test were featured in the two hour doc, culled together from over 600 hours of footage. Herren finished the season strong, willing Fresno State into the National Invitation Tournament by leading the Bulldogs past Hawaii. Herren led the squad into Madison Square Garden but the Bulldogs fell short. In a later press conference Herren announced his plan to stay at Fresno State another year. During his senior season, Herren scored 29 points in the second round of the Great Alaska Shootout against No. 1 ranked Duke. Fresno lost the game, 93-82, which was nationally televised.
NBA and Overseas Career
Herren's basketball journey continued into the professional ranks. The following year as a member of the Boston Celtics, Herren received his first time as a regular starter. After starting 2-3, coach Rick Pitino inserted him into the starting lineup. He started seven games in a row, resulting in a 4-3 record while playing 29 minutes per night. Herren ended up playing 70 games from 1999 to 2001 as a member of the Nuggets and Celtics.
Substance Use and Recovery
Herren struggled with substance use for much of his career. While playing for the Boston Celtics, he started to use painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. His addiction spiraled, leading to further issues. In December 2004, Herren was charged with possession of heroin after passing out in the drive thru of a Dunkin' Donuts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. In June 2008 in Fall River, he overdosed on heroin and crashed into a utility pole.
After completing intensive rehabilitation programs, Herren has been alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008.
Life After Basketball: Advocacy and Inspiration
Since achieving sobriety, Herren has dedicated his life to helping others struggling with addiction. In June 2009, he launched Hoop Dreams, a basketball player development company to mentor players on and off the court.
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Herren has also shared his story through various platforms. He wrote a book with Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds titled Basketball Junkie: A Memoir, documenting his career on and off the court. Basketball Junkie was released in May 2011. In 2011, ESPN aired a documentary, Unguarded, directed by Jonathan Hock, based upon Herren's basketball career and drug-related issues. On March 20, 2012, it was announced that Unguarded had been nominated for two Emmys: Outstanding Sports Documentary and Outstanding Editing.
Herren now travels the United States sharing his story through Herren Talks, averaging 200 talks a year. Herren has spoken to over a million students and others, while also advocating for curriculum change to help youth get to the core of the need for alcohol and drug abuse - mental health and PTSD awareness.
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