Chris Herren to share his struggle to get clean with Malden High athletes

The following was submitted by Malden High School publicity director Paul Famiglietti:

Malden High School Athletics has invited Chris Herren to speak at Malden High School in the Finn Gym on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.

Herren is a Fall River native and former collegiate and professional basketball player who played for Boston College, Fresno State, the Denver Nuggets, and the Boston Celtics. Herren was the central figure in a book about Durfee High School basketball entitled "Fall River Dreams."

Herron speaks openly and candidly about his rise and fall during his struggle with substance abuse while playing basketball. Drug and alcohol free since 2008, Chris has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else. He attends meetings daily to support his substance-free lifestyle and speaks often before groups trying to overcome addiction.

In June of 2009, Chris celebrated one year of sobriety and launched a basketball player development company, Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, Inc. He has since trained over 200 basketball players, including some of the top basketball prospects in New England.

Off the court, he continues to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching just one person and making a difference in their life.

In May of 2011 his memoir, "Basketball Junkie," written with Bill Reynolds was released followed by a film documentary on ESPN, "Unguarded."

For more info about Chris Herren, visit: www.ahoopdream.com.

The event is open to all MHS student-athletes, as well as eighth-grade Malden Public School student-athletes.

For more information, contact Dan Keefe, Director of Athletics/PE & Health, K-12 Malden Public Schools: 781-397-6006.