Former NBA player to talk about beating drugs

ROCK FALLS ??A Rock Falls High School senior was so inspired by a former professional basketball player and drug addict that he?s raised money to bring him to the Sauk Valley to speak.

Keith ?K.J.? Conklin went to local businesses and raised about $14,000, more than enough to pay Chris Herren?s speaker and travel fees, which are roughly $10,000.

The remaining money will be given to the local youth group, Giving Power to Adolescents, and to Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die, a local youth group that teaches tolerance, he said.

Conklin, 18, who played basketball his first 3 years in high school, is a ?basketball fanatic,? but he would find Herren?s story ?unbelievable? even if he weren?t a former pro, he said.

Herren, 36, played for the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics, until his addiction to heroin destroyed his career 7 years ago.

He has been clean for 3 years, and his public speaking helps raise money for the Herren Project, a nonprofit foundation that helps individuals and families struggling with addiction.

Conklin said he thinks local students will be more likely to listen to Herren?s message because Herren comes from Fall River, Mass. ? a mill town like Sterling and Rock Falls.

Herren will speak to the public Wednesday at Sterling High School?s Centennial Auditorium.

That afternoon, he will speak to Sterling High School students. Thursday morning, he will speak at Rock Falls High to its students, to Newman Central Catholic High students, and to sixth- through eighth-graders from Montmorency, Riverdale, East Coloma, Nelson and Rock Falls Middle schools.

Many Twin Cities youths use drugs, particularly marijuana, Conklin said.

In fact, Conklin got so high one night that he had to call his parents, Kobe and Krista Conklin, to pick him up, he said. He since has become a B.L.I.N.D. leader, and he encourages his peers not to use drugs.

Conklin, first heard about Herren from Rock Falls Middle School teacher Todd Sigel, who has followed his career and downfall.

Conklin became more intrigued when he read Herren?s book, ?Basketball Junkie: A Memoir,? and saw an ESPN documentary about Herren, ?Unguarded,? which moved him to tears, he said.

The high school didn?t have enough money to pay Herren?s speaker fees, so Conklin went to local businesses. He was pleasantly surprised by their willingness to help.

?I never thought there was anything like this in the community until this,? he said.

Sigel said he finds Conklin?s drive impressive. ?I?ve never met a kid with as much passion as he has,? he said. ?That?s what I love about K.J.?

To attend

Former pro basketball player Chris Herren will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sterling High School?s Centennial Auditorium, 1608 Fourth Ave. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.

Go to theherrenproject.org to learn more about Herren and his foundation.

?Unguarded,? a documentary about Herren?s struggle with heroin addiction, airs at 8:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2.

Source: http://www.saukvalley.com/2012/01/04/former-nba-player-to-talk-about-beating-drugs/agk7ekv/

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