Ex-NBA Player Herron Opens Up About Addiction
Sixteen years ago, Chris Herren was one of the best high school basketball players in Massachusetts. A McDonald’s All-American at Durfee, the Fall River native’s career took him to Boston College, Fresno State, and the NBA, where he played with the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics.
Herren also played for various pro teams overseas. But along the way, he was battling an addiction to drugs and alcohol, which came to a head in June of 2008.
“That was a tough time in my life,” he told WRPI News. “Where I was at I didn’t have much of a choice left. I was found unconscious in my car and close to death. That’s the end result of what I was doing. It was over a year ago and I look back at that as a great day because it propelled me to get my life straight.”
Once he hit rock bottom, Herren was willing to accept help from his friends, family, and former teammates. “I’ve had tons of support. My friends along the way…have always been there for me. I can’t even tell you how many people have helped me through this. But it was about me being willing to accept the help.”
Having been sober for a year, Herren is now back in the game as a teacher, instructing players who are looking to gain an edge in the off-season. “I’m trying to pass down what I learned… to these kids. If they can get it at an early age, it’s worth it,” he said.
He explained that some people know about his past, and if someone asks him, he’ll talk about it. “I have some kids whose parents come to me and ask me to help their kids with basketball stuff and life stuff,” he said.
“It’s an experience, and I learned from it, and if they need me for anything, I’m here. Where I’ve come from and where I’ve been, any day sober is a good day.”
