“My kids would get off the school bus wondering, ‘Daddy where’s my X-Box? Where’s my PlayStation? Where’s my PS3? Where’s my iPod?’ My wife would ask, ‘Chris, where’s my jewelry?’ Some nights no lights, some nights no heat. Birthdays and Christmases were never the same. Addiction doesn't recognize those holidays.” – Chris Herren
Christopher Albert Herren (born September 27, 1975)
- Herren's basketball dreams began as a 6'2" guard at Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts. A member of the Durfee High School team chronicled in Bill Reynolds book, Fall River Dreams, Herren excelled on the basketball court becoming one of the top Division 1 prospects in the country. Herren's basketball success concealed a darker side, and his dream soon became a nightmare of addiction--first alcohol, then cocaine, and finally heroin. A chaotic and often uncertain college career plagued by drugs and rehab led to the NBA.
In 1999 he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA Draft as the 33rd pick overall. After a year with the Nuggets, Chris was traded to the Boston Celtics where he suffered a season ending injury.
Trying to work his way back to the NBA, Herren played overseas until 2003 when he came back to the States. His alcohol and drug use escalated until he was found unconscious with a heroin needle hanging from his arm in the driver's seat of his car.
Trying to work his way back to the NBA, Herren played overseas until 2003 when he came back to the States. His alcohol and drug use escalated until he was found unconscious with a heroin needle hanging from his arm in the driver's seat of his car.
After extensive rehabilitation stays, Chris has been drug-free since June 4, 2008, and alcohol-free since August 1, 2008. Herren has refocused his life and dreams to put his sobriety and family above all else.
In June of 2009, Chris launched a basketball player development company, Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, Inc. Off the court he continues to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching just one person and making a difference in their life.To support this vision, he founded The Herren Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance to families affected by addiction. In 2012 The Herren Project launched a national anti-substance abuse campaign, Project Purple, to encourage people of all ages to stand up to substance abuse.
In June of 2009, Chris launched a basketball player development company, Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, Inc. Off the court he continues to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching just one person and making a difference in their life.To support this vision, he founded The Herren Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance to families affected by addiction. In 2012 The Herren Project launched a national anti-substance abuse campaign, Project Purple, to encourage people of all ages to stand up to substance abuse.
Why Do I Admire Him?
I admire Chris Herren because of his ability to overcome his drug addiction. He went from having everything he could have ever wanted, to having nothing at all. Anyone in his situation would have had a horrendous time trying to recover from everything that had happened in his life, but he did it. I believe he is an amazing influence to athletes, not only because he was able to overcome his addiction, but because of the fact that he is accepting of his mistakes, and has learned from them
and continues to share his story and change lives of others.
and continues to share his story and change lives of others.