Chris Herren’s gripping journey from achieving the pinnacle of athletic success in the NBA to overcoming addiction is one all students and parents need to hear.
(PRWEB) November 02, 2015
On November 9, 2015, 6:30 p.m., in Garland Theater, Garrison Forest School hosts former NBA player and author Chris Herren for an unforgettable evening as he shares his journey from addiction to sobriety. During “Rebound: The Chris Herren Story,” Chris takes the audience through the deeply personal and brutally honest story of how his promising NBA career began to unravel by making a few bad decisions.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at http://www.gfs.org/events.
A high school basketball legend from Fall River, Mass., who scored over 2,000 career points while at Durfee High School and was named to the 1994 McDonald's All-American team, Herren 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.
Herren struggled with substance abuse for much of his basketball career. Alcohol and drug-free since 2008, he has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir, Basketball Junkie, as well as in numerous interviews throughout the Emmy- nominated ESPN Films documentary Unguarded, of which he is the subject.
A riveting and inspiring speaker, his presentations to schools and audiences around the country resonate. On November 10, Chris and trained facilitators will lead an assembly for Garrison Forest Upper School, drawing on his own history on the themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug abuse, drinking and driving as well as self-harm.
“Chris Herren’s gripping journey from achieving the pinnacle of athletic success in the NBA to overcoming addiction is one all students and parents need to hear,” notes Dr. Kim Roberts, Head of Garrison Forest School. “As educators, we strive to teach students the life skills to navigate personal challenges. Mr. Herren’s remarks will inspire all those in attendance, particularly young people, to be brave in the face of adversity.”
He founded the nonprofit Herren Project dedicated to providing treatment navigation, educational and mentoring programs to those touched by addiction and to educate people of all ages on the dangers of substance abuse. In 2009, he launched Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, a basketball player development company that offers basketball training, camps and clinics to top basketball prospects in New England.
Chris’s visit to Garrison Forest School is made possible through the generosity of The O’Neil Family Foundation, Inc.