CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Chris Herren was a high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, who scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the 1994 McDonald’s All-American team.
Starting his collegiate career at Boston College, Chris transferred to Fresno State after several failed drug tests, playing for legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, known for giving second chances to players. He was named to the All-WAC first team in 1996 and 1997 before announcing that he would need miss part of the 97-98 season to seek treatment for an ongoing struggle with substance use disorder.
Chris realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999, and then was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. After suffering a season-ending injury as a Celtic, Herren went on to play in five countries including Italy, Poland, Turkey, China, and Iran.
Chris Herren was a high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, who scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the 1994 McDonald’s All-American team.
Starting his collegiate career at Boston College, Chris transferred to Fresno State after several failed drug tests, playing for legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, known for giving second chances to players. He was named to the All-WAC first team in 1996 and 1997 before announcing that he would need miss part of the 97-98 season to seek treatment for an ongoing struggle with substance use disorder.
Chris realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999, and then was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. After suffering a season-ending injury as a Celtic, Herren went on to play in five countries including Italy, Poland, Turkey, China, and Iran.
OFF THE COURT
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.
With recognition ranging from the Boston Celtics’ Hero Among Us Award to the Faces and Voices of Recovery National Voice of Recovery Award, Chris’s incredible impact on his community continues to grow.
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.
With recognition ranging from the Boston Celtics’ Hero Among Us Award to the Faces and Voices of Recovery National Voice of Recovery Award, Chris’s incredible impact on his community continues to grow.
IN PRINT
Chris Herren’s journey on and off the court has been chronicled in two bestselling books. Bill Reynolds’ 1994 book, Fall River Dreams, follows the Durfee High School basketball team and its star, Chris Herren, as the team begins its annual drive for a state championship. In his memoir, Basketball Junkie, Chris shares in his own words how he nearly lost everything and everyone he loved, and how he found a way back to a life in recovery.
IN PRINT
Chris Herren’s journey on and off the court has been chronicled in two bestselling books. Bill Reynolds’ 1994 book, Fall River Dreams, follows the Durfee High School basketball team and its star, Chris Herren, as the team begins its annual drive for a state championship. In his memoir, Basketball Junkie, Chris shares in his own words how he nearly lost everything and everyone he loved, and how he found a way back to a life in recovery.
Fall River Dreams
By Bill Reynolds
St. Martins Press / 1994
Basketball Junkie
By Chris Herren, Bill Reynolds
St. Martins Press / May 2011
ON FILM
ESPN FILMS 30 For 30: UNGUARDED
Directed by Jon Hock, Hock Films
Film Overview:
Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock has mastered the art of telling stories about the struggles and triumphs of American hometown heroes. Chris Herren of Fall River, Mass., was a high school basketball standout who battled the pressures of making it big from an early age. After dropping out of Boston College, Chris landed on Jerry Tarkanian’s notorious Fresno State team, where players were likely to be found on both police blotters and All-American lists. Chris failed drug tests at BC and Fresno State, but he was so talented that he was drafted into the NBA anyway, ending up with the Boston Celtics. But at the moment he was realizing his childhood dream of becoming a star for the home team, Chris was falling in a 10-year-long spiral of addiction. He bounced from team to team, country to country. Ultimately, Chris, the youngest and most talented of three generations of local heroes, has found redemption and personal fulfillment through the game, but only after it led him literally around the world, down a path of alcohol and drug addiction that nearly killed him. Recipient of 2 Emmy Nominations for Outstanding Sports Documentary & Outstanding Editing and Sports Illustrated’s “Best Documentary of 2011”.
To Read “The Director’s Take” and learn more about the documentary “Unguarded” visit ESPN Films.
UNGUARDED is available for purchase on:
Film Overview:
Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock has mastered the art of telling stories about the struggles and triumphs of American hometown heroes. Chris Herren of Fall River, Mass., was a high school basketball standout who battled the pressures of making it big from an early age. After dropping out of Boston College, Chris landed on Jerry Tarkanian’s notorious Fresno State team, where players were likely to be found on both police blotters and All-American lists. Chris failed drug tests at BC and Fresno State, but he was so talented that he was drafted into the NBA anyway, ending up with the Boston Celtics. But at the moment he was realizing his childhood dream of becoming a star for the home team, Chris was falling in a 10-year-long spiral of addiction. He bounced from team to team, country to country. Ultimately, Chris, the youngest and most talented of three generations of local heroes, has found redemption and personal fulfillment through the game, but only after it led him literally around the world, down a path of alcohol and drug addiction that nearly killed him. Recipient of 2 Emmy Nominations for Outstanding Sports Documentary & Outstanding Editing and Sports Illustrated’s “Best Documentary of 2011”.
To Read “The Director’s Take” and learn more about the documentary “Unguarded” visit ESPN Films.
UNGUARDED is available for purchase on:
THE FIRST DAY
Directed by Jon Hock, Hock Films
Film Overview:
Chris Herren, former professional basketball player, author and wellness advocate, has shared his story of recovery with over 1 million people nationwide. The First Day film chronicles this journey revealing Herren’s vulnerability and his profound connections with high school students who, in turn, have shared their stories of struggle and strength. Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses issues that school systems, communities and people across the country are impacted by, directly or indirectly, each day including substance use, other harmful behaviors and mental wellness.
To learn more visit The First Day film.
The First Day Film is available for rental on Vimeo:
Film Overview:
Chris Herren, former professional basketball player, author and wellness advocate, has shared his story of recovery with over 1 million people nationwide. The First Day film chronicles this journey revealing Herren’s vulnerability and his profound connections with high school students who, in turn, have shared their stories of struggle and strength. Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses issues that school systems, communities and people across the country are impacted by, directly or indirectly, each day including substance use, other harmful behaviors and mental wellness.
To learn more visit The First Day film.
The First Day Film is available for rental on Vimeo:
NEWS & PRESS
Note to Self: Herren’s Advice To A Younger Self
CBS Morning News
Producer: Meghan Walsh / Editor: Craig Shea
Chris Herren’s Five Year Redemption
By Sam Gardner
Fox Sports / August 1, 2013
Celebrity Spotlight Series: Chris Herren
NESN
July 2015
The Chris Herren Story
Fresno State Magazine
April 2015
NBA Hoop Magazine: Catching Up With Chris Herren
Jammel Cutler / April 2017
At 10 Years Sober Chris Opens Facility to Help Others
Providence Journal / March 2018
Click here for current news and interviews.
“Many people get sober and want to forget. I find great inspiration in people who have been at certain levels in life and come back from it. I’m blessed to be in long-term recovery and to be able to be out in front of people and share my story.”
“Many people get sober and want to forget. I find great inspiration in people who have been at certain levels in life and come back from it. I’m blessed to be in long-term recovery and to be able to be out in front of people and share my story.”