Former NBA basketball star Chris Herren spoke to students at Broadalbin-Perth High School on Tuesday May 17 not only to share his story, but to help them re-define their own. Chris’ story is one of triumph, failure, and redemption. Once a high school and college basketball star and second round NBA draft pick, Herren lost it all due to a substance addiction.
Unlike many presentations, Chris’s presentation is filled with no jokes or light humor. Instead he makes it seem like he is talking to each student personally, hoping to get through to them. Using an ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary called “Unguarded” to tell his story, and being focused on the students and their outcomes, he asks the students what they need and tries to help them find ways to cope with what they are dealing with and bring it to the front of their focus.
Chris says it’s not about perfection, but about realizing that one thing can lead to another and that no matter what road you are traveling, you can always make the change and re-define yourself.