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Chris Herren

Former NBA Player / Addiction Recovery Advocate

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Biography

An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star in his native Fall River, MA before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction. Read More >

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. Read Less ^

Speaker Videos

TEDTalk: The Game Has Changed

Chris Herren Highlighted on CNN

Addicted Athletes

Basketball Junkie

Fighting Drug Addiction

FSU Football Learning Life Lessons

Chris Herren Buckete Story

Chris Herren Guest Speaker

Chris Herren Speaks on UT Campus

Chris Herren Delivers Powerful Message to Ravenscroft

Chris Herren Substance Abuse Package (LDTV Award Winner)

Chris Herren on Faith

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

Chris Herren: The First Day

Designed for school presentations, this 75-minute assembly will start with a film presentation highlighting Herren’s basketball career and journey to sobriety. Upon conclusion of the film, Chris will take the microphone and share experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete and speaker, empowering the audience to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction, from the last day to the first. He will touch on such topics as drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. To conclude the event, he will field questions from the audience.

Prevention Starts With All: The Chris Herren Story

In this very personal presentation, Chris will share his recovery journey in a brutally honest format with just a microphone. The event will start with a 5-minute film introducing Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career and his dream to play in the NBA which began to unravel by making a few bad decisions. From growing up in Fall River, MA to playing Division 1 basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety. Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug use, vaping and the responsibility of prevention starting with us all. To conclude the event Chris will field questions from the audience.

Chris Herren: The Game Has Changed

In this very personal presentation, Chris will share his recovery journey in a brutally honest format with just a microphone. The event will start with a 5-minute film introducing Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career and his dream to play in the NBA which began to unravel by making a few bad decisions. From growing up in Fall River, MA to playing Division 1 basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety. Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of resiliency and real-life examples that it is never too late to reach for your dreams. Dreams require hard work, repetition, follow through, being ready to rebound in the event you falter and preparing your game plan for the win. To conclude the event Chris will field questions from the audience.

Testimonials

"Chris was an amazing! A lot of great feedback and chatter on social last night and this morning. You could have heard a pin drop in that gym when he was speaking. Super friendly, great guy. We are lucky to have had him come share his message."

- Marketing Communications, Fox Communities Credit Union

"It was by far, in my 18 years, the strongest, most powerful presentation I have ever heard. Chris was an inspiration to many."

- Northumberland County (PA) Drug & Alcohol Program

"Words cannot express how good Chris Herren was! He was amazing. He was so kind to every student that wanted to talk to him. The parents, teachers, and students that attended are still buzzing about it. My hope and prayer is that a life or two was forever changed. Thank you for everything!"

- Client

"I have been in education for fourteen years now. Subsequently, I have witnessed approximately 60 assemblies and guest speakers’ presentations. Chris’s story and presence is by far the most moving and genuine."

- Principal, Mount Sinai School

"It was one of the best presentations I have EVER been to. The video was inspiring, the music was wonderful, and Chris Herren was amazing. Great, great job! I enjoyed every single minute there. Congratulations! I know your feedback on this must have been nothing but rave reviews."

- Kentucky Housing Corporation

"Chris Herren was an amazing speaker. The students and faculty were buzzing about him all week and still are. The feedback has been "best speaker we've had” and similarly high praises. In the week after, there were many conversations about drugs and alcohol and a few kids who came into counseling asking for help. We are so pleased with him, his approach, and his ability to reach the kids."

- Milton Academy

"It was simply amazing. Chris shared his story and the entire arena was blown away. We have had so many calls and emails commenting on the impact Chris' presentation has had on their kids. It was eye opening and riveting. I believe lives were truly changed on Saturday."

- Supreme Court Basketball

"Chris made a huge impact with his presentation. He talked to a packed auditorium with parents and kids and had their attention the entire time. He is an exceptional speaker and his information is on target with youth and their parents. While he is a celebrity, his demeanor is one of humility and openness about his sobriety in life. I would recommend him to anyone."

- Substance Abuse Coalition, CT

“We very much enjoyed having Chris at Conestoga and will definitely invite him back in a few years - his message is important and very effective and our students love him. Overall - he was very impactful.”

- Tredyffrin/Easttown School District