Chris Herren, a former college basketball standout and Boston Celtics player whose path to stardom was blocked by years of substance abuse, will share his story of addiction and recovery on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. in the Redmond C.S. Finney Athletic Center at Gilman School, 5407 Roland Avenue, Baltimore. His evening presentation is open to students, parents, and all members of the community at no charge. Please RSVP here.
Herren will talk with Gilman’s Upper School students during the school day, as well students from other local schools throughout the week, including Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, Roland Park Country School, Mount Saint Joseph High School, St. Paul’s School, and Park School.
A native of Fall River, MA, Herren scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the McDonald’s All-American Team in 1994. He realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when the Denver Nuggets drafted him in 1999, and was traded to his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, in 2000. Herren later played for several international teams.
Throughout his basketball career, Herren struggled with a substance abuse problem that nearly killed him. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir Basketball Junkie, and in the ESPN Films “30 for 30” documentary Unguarded.
Drug-free and alcohol-free since 2008, Herren now attends meetings daily to support his substance-free lifestyle and speaks with groups trying to overcome addiction to share his experiences and road to sobriety. He is the founder of the Herren Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing treatment navigation, educational and mentoring programs to those touched by addiction and educating people of all ages on the dangers of substance abuse.
“As a teenager, Chris was a type of athlete that many students aspire to be,” said Henry P.A. Smyth, Headmaster. “It’s important that all of us hear his powerful, personal story about dealing with the pressures of success and the consequences of our choices.”
Herren’s lecture is free and open to the public with advance registration.
