Prep Talk

NBA Star, Recovering Drug Addict to Speak at St. Augustine Prep

Posted October 23rd, 2012

 

Chris Herren was a local celebrity in Fall River, Massachusetts as a high school basketball player in a town with a long tradition of basketball stars. Herren played at Boston College for a year before transferring to Fresno State to play under Coach Jerry Tarkanian. He was drafted 33 overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He would go on to play for the professional team that he spent his childhood following: the Boston Celtics.

Chris Herren’s basketball career is not the reason that he is coming to speak at St. Augustine Prep on November 7. Herren spent the entirety of his professional career in the desperates throes of a losing battle against drug and alcohol addiction. His success in overcoming this addiction is overshadowed by the work that Herren is doing in the wake of his recovery: He has dedicated his life to keeping others from following his path.

“Basketball Junkie,” a book that tells the story of Herren’s battle with addiction, is the focal point of St. Augustine Prep’s annual Veritas program. By November, 7, all of the students, faculty, and administration at St. Augustine Prep will have read this memoir, and will gather in the Rodio Gym to hear Chris Herren speak in person about his experiences, struggles, and salvation.

The Administration of St. Augustine Prep is inviting all of the extended members of the community to attend this speaker series event, which will be held on Wednesday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.