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Chris Herren      

Former NBA Player & Speaker on Substance Abuse Disorder and Wellness

An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star in his native Fall River, MA before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction.

With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and he now shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others.

His recovery journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded” and in countless local, national and international stories by The New York Times, The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated, among others. Through Herren Talks, Chris has spoken to over 1 million students and community members, sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness.

In 2011, Chris grew his vision of support for others when he founded the nonprofit Herren Project. Through the organization, Chris and his team empower schools and communities to make healthy choices, while also guiding families through recovery. In 2018, Chris also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps guests lead healthy, substance-free lives.

Speech Topics


Substance abuse and recovery

Motivational

Rebound: The Chris Herren Story

In this very personal presentation, Chris will share his story in a brutally honest format with just a microphone. The event will start with a five-minute DVD introducing Chris Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career and his dream to play in the NBA, which began to unravel as a result of making a few bad decisions. From growing up in Fall River, MA to playing Division 1 basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety. Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug abuse, drinking and driving as well as self-harm. To conclude the event, Chris will field questions from the audience.

Unguarded: A Conversation with Chris Herren

This program format has been designed for school assemblies and community groups, with the focus of relating Chris’s story to school-aged audiences nationwide. Following a DVD highlighting Chris’s basketball career and journey to sobriety, Chris will touch on such topics as drunk driving, gateway drugs, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. Additionally Chris will share statistics of drug and alcohol use amongst teens nationwide. To conclude the event, Chris will field questions from the audience.

News


Chris Herren will speak to Seabrook children on Oct. 27
SEABROOK — Chris Herren had everything going for him: good looks, a strong body, athletic talent and the job of his dreams playing pro ball for the Boston Celtics. He lost it all because he couldn’t stop doing drugs.
Chris Herren, former Boston Celtic, to spend evening at Ludlow High ...
Chris Herren, a former Boston Celtic, will discuss healthy life choices at the Ludlow High School auditorium on Oct. 24.

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