Chris Herren

Christopher Albert Herren (born September 27, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player and motivational speaker, primarily concerning his past drug and alcohol addiction. He played in the NBA and several leagues overseas.

Youth and high school Herren attended B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1990 to 1994. His family's history at Durfee includes his father, grandfather, older brother, and three uncles who played basketball. Herren finished his career at Durfee High with a total of 2,073 points, the most career points in school history. In his senior year, Herren was named The Boston Globe and Gatorade player of the year. He also was named to the McDonald's All-America Team. Herren was the central figure in a book about Durfee High basketball entitled Fall River Dreams.

College basketball

Boston College (1994) Herren turned down offers from the University of Kentucky and Duke University to play at Boston College. Entering Boston College, Herren was featured in Sports Illustrated, hyping his possible success. Before playing, Herren failed a drug test for marijuana and cocaine use. but broke his wrist and was ruled out for the entire 1994–1995 season. Within three months of his injury, Herren failed two more drug tests for marijuana and cocaine use, and was subsequently expelled from the team and the university.

Drug usage and recovery Herren struggled with substance use for much of his career. In June 2008 in Fall River, he overdosed on heroin and crashed into a utility pole. According to paramedics, he was dead for thirty seconds.

After completing intensive rehabilitation programs, Herren has been alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008. In June 2009, he launched Hoop Dreams, a basketball player development company to mentor players on and off the court. Herren 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. In 2011, Herren founded the nonprofit Herren Project. In 2018, he founded Herren Wellness, a residential drug rehabilitation and treatment center.

Personal life Herren was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy at the urging of his mother, Cynthia.

Herren and his wife Heather have three children including Chris Jr., who played college basketball for Boston College.