Chris Herren’s skill on the basketball court was unmatched. At Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, he scored over 2,000 career points and was selected for the prestigious 1994 McDonald’s All-American team. But his life changed forever when he tried cocaine for the first time at a party, leading to a struggle with addiction he found nearly impossible to escape.
A Life Marked by Triumphs and Struggles
Herren’s entrance into college basketball in 1994 was eagerly anticipated, but the promise soon faded. After just one game with Boston College, he tested positive for cocaine in a random drug screening and left the school shortly afterward.
Still, a chance for redemption emerged when renowned coach Jerry Tarkanian recruited him to play at Fresno State. Despite achieving new heights on the court, Herren’s battles with addiction persisted. He missed the 1997-98 season to undergo treatment for cocaine addiction.
As he rose through the ranks of college basketball, his personal struggles continued. In 1999, Herren realized his NBA dream when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, and he later joined his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. It was a dream fulfilled.
Sadly, his NBA career was cut short by injuries, and his drug use escalated with prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Percocet during his time with the Celtics. Herren recalls being called for the starting lineup as a Celtic, only to be waiting on a rainy street corner for his dealer instead of preparing with his teammates.
Herren’s basketball career took him across the globe, but his addiction followed him everywhere. In 2008, he hit rock bottom, getting high on heroin before crashing his car into a utility pole—a near-fatal accident in which he was technically dead for 30 seconds. This became the final wake-up call that led him to sobriety—and this time, it would last.
A New Chapter
Today, Chris Herren is playing on a different court. Sober since 2008, he has transformed his life and now uses his platform to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use and the harsh realities of addiction. After battling addiction to drugs and alcohol for over 14 years—a period he describes as “14 years of rock bottom”—Herren is now committed to making a difference.
“In the world of addiction, you hate yourself, so you escape yourself,” he shared in a 2014 CNN interview. “Whatever drug’s in front of me, I’m gonna take because I don’t like being me.” Now, however, Chris is focused on the future, with a positive outlook on what lies ahead.
As a motivational speaker and educator, Chris openly shares his painful journey with addiction and his inspiring path to recovery. Through his nonprofit, The Herren Project, he provides resources and support for those seeking recovery and advocates for addiction prevention.
Chris Herren’s story demonstrates that addiction can be confronted without shame and that anyone can rewrite their story, no matter how difficult the past. If you or someone you know is seeking recovery, Sunrise Recovery is here to help, just a phone call away, offering compassionate support.
