Former NBA player Chris Herren will speak in Washington

WASHINGTON – Washington Community Schools announced that former NBA player Chris Herren
will share his story with the community on January 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Washington High School Auditorium.

Chris Herren

Admission is free, but reservations are required. Click here to reserve your seat.

Since 2009, Chris Herren has shared his story with students and community members about substance use disorder and wellness.

Herren struggled with substance use for much of his career. While playing for the Boston Celtics, he started to use painkillers. In December 2007, Herren was charged with possession of heroin after passing out in the drive-thru of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Chris Herren

In June 2008, Herren overdosed on heroin and crashed into a utility pole. According to paramedics, he was allegedly dead for thirty seconds.

After completing intensive rehabilitation programs, Herren has been alcohol and drug-free since August 1, 2008. In June 2009, he launched Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, a basketball player development company to mentor players on and off the court. Herren wrote a book with Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds titled Basketball Junkie: A Memoir, documenting his career on and off the court. Basketball Junkie was released in May 2011.

 In 2011, ESPN aired a documentary, Unguarded, directed by Jonathan Hock, based on Herren’s basketball career and drug-related issues. On March 20, 2012, it was announced that Unguarded had been nominated for two Emmys for outstanding sports documentaries and outstanding editing.

Herren now travels the United States sharing his story through Herren Talks, averaging 200 talks a year. Herren’s goal is to educate and inspire students in a way they’ll actually listen.

Washington Community Schools would like to thank the following sponsors for making this event possible Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, TrueScripts, Thompson Insurance, Stoll and Graber CPAs LLC, Boyd, and Sons, Knights of Columbus, Daviess County Community Corrections, White Stone Counseling, Sarah Browning Edward Jones Financial, Omer Chiropractic Lifestyle Center, Kyle
Cornelius Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Memering Farms, Bethany Christian Church, 7 Sisters, Parsons &
Associates, PC, In Memory of Bryan Bouchie, and Shake Broadcasting.