ESPN Films’ Unguarded to Premiere on November 1 on ESPN
Documentary Chronicles Former NBA Player Chris Herren’s Struggles with Addiction
After a superstar high school basketball career in Fall River, Mass., Chris Herren dominated the court at Boston College and Fresno State and went on to play for the Denver Nuggets, his beloved Boston Celtics and even across the world. Despite his success playing basketball, his heavy addiction to drugs was becoming worse and quickly taking over his life, before he ultimately lost control ending up in a rehab facility.
Now three years sober, Herren’s long struggle with addiction is told in Unguarded, ESPN Films' new documentary premiering on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPNHD. Through personal interviews with Herren’s family, friends and coaches along with his own words as he travels the country telling his inspiring story, director Jonathan Hock weaves together the rollercoaster of events in Herren’s life over the last 15 years. Events that could have led to his death have instead brought him to a place where he now finds the most peace: coaching basketball.
ESPN Films, creators of the Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning 30 for 30 film series, is airing a new film each Tuesday night through November 8. The remaining films of the series will air as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. – Unguarded (Jonathan Hock/Philip Aromando)
- Tuesday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. – Roll Tide/War Eagle (Martin Khodabakhshian/Joe Tessitore)
**Screeners available upon request**
ESPN Films’ new slate of documentaries will be available on iTunes and Amazon.com the day after each film’s broadcast premiere and will be available on DVD shortly thereafter at major retailers. A compilation of films from the series will be available in a collectible DVD Gift Set this holiday season.
About ESPN Films
Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing compelling sports stories. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated 30 for 30 film series. Inspired by ESPN’s 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. Additional projects from ESPN Films include, among others, the critically acclaimed and Television Academy Honor-winning 16th Man, Cannes Film Festival official selection The Two Escobars, and the Peabody Award-winning Black Magic. Catching Hell, from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, and Renée, from filmmaker Eric Drath, are featured in the latest ESPN Films series airing this fall. Press Kit
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Media Contacts:
Jay Jay Nesheim – ESPN – 212-448-4841 – jayjay.nesheim@espn.com
Jen Cingari – ESPN - 212-515-1084 – jennifer.j.cingari@espn.com
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