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A Powerful Memoir of Talent, Tragedy, and Triumph
From NBA Ban to Beacon of Hope: One Man’s Second Chance
A story of extraordinary talent, devastating loss, and ultimate triumph.
Highly promising basketball player Chris Washburn was selected third overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. But a chance encounter with famed basketball player Len Bias introduced him to crack cocaine.
Soon, the overwhelming temptations of fame, fortune, and drugs derailed his promising career. And by 1989, after failing his third drug test, Chris was banned from the NBA. His life then spiraled into addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and near-death experiences.
Yet, in 2000, a turning point came when he lost his father. This loss fueled Chris's resolve to change. With incredible strength and determination, he fought back from the depths of addiction.
Today, Chris is a beacon of hope and resilience. He is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate, inspiring others with his journey of recovery from addiction, and redemption. From speaking to youth groups and drug rehab centers to sharing his powerful story with the NBA, Chris is now making a positive difference in the world.
Co-written with bestselling author Ron Chepesiuk, OUT OF BOUNDS: From Broken NBA Dreams to Redemption describes in dramatic, heart-wrenching detail Chris's remarkable journey, which included finding his birth mother, and proves that it's never too late to rise again.
Sports Book Of The Year Award!
OUT OF BOUNDS has been selected as the Sports Book Of The Year Runner-Up at the prestigious American Writing Awards!
About The Authors
A native of Hickory, North Carolina, Chris Washburn was drafted as a 20-year-old number three in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in 1986. He was traded to the Atlanta Hawks after two seasons and played two seasons before being banned for life because of drug use. After a long period of crack addiction, he recovered in 2012 and has since served as a speaker, mentor and life coach.
Ron Chepesiuk is an author and screenwriter who has published 46 books and more than 4000 articles. He is a frequent commentator on several outlets, including Discovery, National Geographic, Starz and Reelz. His book, Crazy Charlie, was optioned for the television series Paraiso Blanco currently airing on the Vix streaming series. He is the author of two other WildBlue Press books, The Real Mr. Big and Bad Henry.
