Rebound Hero
by Melissa Chaiken
Chris Herren’s Promising Start
Chris Herren seemed to embody the ideal young athlete with immense talent, striking looks, and a bright promise in the realm of college and professional basketball. Hailing from Fall River, Massachusetts, he made waves as a standout player at Durfee High School, amassing over 2000 career points. The accolades led him to a successful college stint at Fresno State University, ultimately getting drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft. He later returned to his roots, playing for the Boston Celtics.
The Downward Spiral
Despite garnering numerous achievements on the basketball court, Chris’s dreams were threatened by his off-court decisions. He fell into the clutches of substance abuse, initially dabbling in alcohol and marijuana, but the situation escalated to the use of oxycontin and cocaine, culminating in a near-fatal encounter with heroin.
The Path to Recovery
Thankfully, since August 1, 2008, Chris has remained free from drugs and alcohol. With the unwavering support of his loved ones, he overcame his addiction, prioritizing his sobriety. In 2011, he shared his struggles through his memoir, Basketball Junkie, and the ESPN documentary, Unguarded. Following these revelations, he received numerous “desperate calls for help” from other individuals battling addiction who sought guidance.
Establishing The Herren Project
In response, Chris launched The Herren Project, a non-profit organization aimed at assisting families impacted by addiction through treatment navigation, educational initiatives on prevention, and mentorship programs.
Raising Awareness
Chris has been actively traveling across the country to share his experiences with organizations like CARE (Chemical Awareness Resources and Education). Notably, on November 3, 2014, he was a guest speaker at CARE Dallas’s 30th Annual Breakfast, attended by around 550 guests, generating $220,000 to support CARE’s community outreach efforts. Pam Blankenship, Executive Director of CARE Dallas, remarked that Chris’s presence “made the morning truly special, and it was inspirational to hear his journey to sobriety.”
Speaking Out on National Television
Recently, Chris appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, discussing his challenging journey to recovery. He reflected, “I never imagined taking one painkiller could lead to 8 years on heroin – that wasn’t the plan.” He emphasized the need for parents to educate children about the early signs of addiction, posing crucial questions about self-identity and peer pressure. “How come on Friday and Saturday nights you have to change yourselves? Why aren’t you good enough just being yourself at 14, 15, 16?”
Insights from Parents
Harriet Heckel, a mother of three boys aged 12, 16, and 20, attended the recent CARE Dallas breakfast where Chris echoed the importance of understanding addiction from its inception. Mrs. Heckel noted, “I found it very insightful that Chris wants kids to know that addiction starts the first time you are offered a drug and you make the decision to take it.”
For more information on Chris Herren and his programs, please visit
www.ahoopdream.com or www.theherrenproject.org.
