Community Events

On February 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Lehighton Area High School Auditorium, former NBA player Chris Herren will deliver a deeply personal and impactful Community Presentation. Known for his rise to fame in basketball and his battle with addiction, Chris will share his inspiring journey of recovery.

Chris Herren, a native of Fall River, MA, was a celebrated basketball star before graduating high school. After playing at Boston College and Fresno State, he went on to have two seasons in the NBA, including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics, and seven seasons overseas. However, his promising career was cut short by addiction. With the steadfast support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and now dedicates his life to helping others through his story.

In this presentation, Chris will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety, covering pivotal moments from his basketball career to his battle with substance use disorder. His message will address the dangers of gateway drugs, prescription drug misuse, and vaping, while emphasizing the shared responsibility of prevention. This impactful event will begin with a brief film showcasing highlights of Chris's basketball career and will conclude with an open Q&A session.

Chris's story has been widely documented in his bestselling memoir, Basketball Junkie, the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary Unguarded, and numerous media outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Sports Illustrated. Through his speaking platform, Herren Talks, he has reached over 1 million people, sparking vital discussions about addiction and wellness. In 2011, Chris founded Herren Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting schools and communities in making healthy choices and guiding families through recovery. In 2018, he furthered his mission by establishing Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program.

We invite you to join us for an evening of honesty, hope, and inspiration as Chris Herren shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction and finding a new path in life.