Once a rising star in the NBA, Chris Herren lost his professional basketball career – and almost lost his life and family – to the disease of addiction. Now 15 years sober, Herren will share his riveting story with the community Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Blue Ridge High School in hopes of making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The event, which will be held in the high school auditorium, is free and open to the public. Blue Ridge School District will sponsor a health fair about treatment and services for addiction outside the high school auditorium starting at 6 p.m.

Herren, who has shared his story with more than 1 million students and community members around the country, will also be making separate, closed presentations to student assemblies at all six of the high schools in Susquehanna County over three days. His speaking tour is being sponsored by the Susquehanna County Commissioners, the Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Susquehanna County Recovery Alliance.

“We are thrilled to host Chris Herren and have him share his story with students and members of our community,” said Commissioner Judy Herschel, co-chair of the Susquehanna County Recovery Alliance. “This is an absolute must-see event for anyone who has been touched by the disease of addiction.”

“Chris has such a compelling and inspiring message for young people and family members,” said Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold, Alliance Co-Chair. “Anyone who hears it can’t help but be moved, and it is our hope that these presentations will help young people struggling with addiction to change course and get into recovery. If it saves even one life, it will be well worth the effort.”

An extraordinary basketball player, Herren was a celebrated high school star in his native Fall River, Mass. He was heavily recruited and went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State. After college, Herren played two seasons in the NBA, including one with the Denver Nuggets and another with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics. He then played seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction.

With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Herren has been clean and sober since Aug. 1, 2008. 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, Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated, among others. Through Herren Talks, Chris has traveled the country sharing his story and sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness.

In 2011, Herren grew his vision of support for others when he founded the nonprofit Herren Project. Through the organization, he and his team empower schools and communities to make healthy choices, while also guiding families through recovery. In 2018, he also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps guests lead healthy, substance-free lives.

You can learn more at Herren’s website or by watching his introductory film.

PLEASE JOIN US SEPT. 20 FOR A PRESENTATION YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!