Former Celtic Chris Herren to Share Story of Addiction, Recovery at Acton-Boxborough HS

ACTON, MA – Former Boston Celtic Chris Herren will speak to the Acton-Boxborough community next month about his struggle with drug and alcohol addiction that ended his basketball career – and nearly his life.

Herren will visit Acton-Boxborough Regional High School from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 to talk about his descent into addiction, his subsequent recovery and finding redemption in sharing his story with others. Herren's journey has been chronicled in his memoir "Basketball Junkie," and the ESPN documentary "Unguarded."

Herren, a Fall River native, grew up dreaming of playing for his hometown team, the Boston Celtics. And he had the basketball chops to make it a reality.

As a star at B.M.C. Durfee HIgh School, he was named Boston Globe High School Player of the year in 1992, 1993, and 1994, the Gatorade New England Player of the Year 1993 and 1994, and a McDonald's All-American in 1994.

But it was in college that Herren's career began its downward spiral. Herren dropped out at Boston College after one year and later found success on the court after transferring to Fresno State. But he reportedly failed drug tests at both schools, according to the ESPN documentary "Unguarded."

Herren's talent and high level of play at Fresno State resulted in him getting drafted 33rd overall by the Denver Nuggets in 1999. In 2000 Herren was acquired by the Boston Celtics. It was a dream come true for an Massachusetts kid, but it was a dream deferred by substance abuse. Herren only spent one year with the Celtics — his last in the NBA — before playing in Italy, Turkey, China, Germany, Iran and Poland. He retired from pro basketball in 2006.

Herren has been sober since 2008 and started The Herren Project in 2011 to raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse. Since his recovery, Herren has been inducted into the Durfee Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Next month's event is sponsored by Acton-Boxborough United Way, Acton-Boxborough Regional PTSO, Danny's Place Youth Services and the Acton Health Department.

Brendan Krisel (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]