Former NBA player, Chris Herren, speaking to Milford about addiction and recovery.

Chris Herren will be speaking at the Parson's Auditorium on Thursday May, 15th at 7:30 PM


Massachusetts native, Chris Herren was a basketball legacy in his hometown of Fall River.  The family history included his grandfather, father, uncles and older brother. He graduated with a high school career total of 2,083 points, was named the Boston Globe and the Gatorade Player of the year and on McDonald's All-America team.  He accepted an offer at Boston College to continue to play basketball in his home state and city.

Entering Boston College, Herren was covered in Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone Magazine.  He failed a total of 3 drug tests before and during the season, testing positive for cocaine and marijuana.  He was ultimately expelled from the team and Boston College. He then transferred to Fresno State in California where he failed yet another drug test and was sent to a rehabilitation center for 28 days. Herren returned and played 86 games with Fresno State. 

Herren entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Denver Nuggets, 2nd round and 33rd overall pick.  He played a total of 70 games with NBA between the Nuggets and the Celtics. When he was released from the Celtics, he played overseas in Poland, Italy, Turkey, China and Iran. 

During his time with the Celtics, Herren started using OxyContin, vicodin and percocet.  This lead to buying and using heroin and crystal meth.  He had overdosed on heroin in his hometown of Fall River and was ultimately dead for 30 seconds according to paramedics.  

Chris Herren has been alcohol and drug free since August 2008.  He has launched a basketball player development company to mentor players on and off the court. ESPN aired a documentary on his journey called Unguarded, which was nominated for two Emmys. He also released a book, Basketball Junkie; A memoir with Providence Journal columnist, Bill Reynolds.

Herren now travels the United States telling his story of drug abuse and how he was able to overcome it.