It is absolutely wonderful to see that Chris Washburn has finally got his life together and doing some positive wonderful things God bless you Chris stay strong brother
I had the opportunity to meet Chris Washburn at School 13 gym in Yonkers, New York back in 1994. He gave great advice to me and others about not using drugs and going the right path in life. Glad he's giving back to his community.
The first superstar I read about in SI. I was so hoping he would take off because I was in high school and he was near my age. Thank you for posting this!
This age group had no real warning about crack. I know dudes who got hooked after smoking a primo and it was a wrap. Salute to you Chris. You could've given up but you didn't. God knew you were worth it.
All these people talking about "wasted" talent. It's HIS life, none of our business. None of us here would know or care about Chris Washburn without basketball, something that comes and goes even if he somehow "reached" his potential (whatever that might've looked like). His community, however, was here for him once he was ready to clean up for good and start contributing to society, something he's doing well and because of his experience, he brings a wisdom, maturity and empathy that might ultimately do more good than if he was simply a great basketball player who never addressed his demons and quietly struggled after his playing days. He was in the same draft class as Len Bias and unlike Bias, SURVIVED his drug use. I grew up in the DC area in the 80s and remembered how tragic Bias' story was and how devastating it was to the community, a sign of the times during the crack epidemic. Seeing Chris survive and thrive and have good years after all he's done and been through is a small spark of hope and inspiration. I never thought back in the 80s and 90s as a kid when I'd hear all the stories about Chris Washburn and him crashing and burning that he'd still be alive in the 2020s and being a modest but upstanding member of the community. A lot of life lessons here, even if he was a basketball cautionary tale. Hope he can live out the rest of his days in peace, love, family, community and service.
What do you mean "all these people"? I see literally just one other post mentioning talent wasted from a BASKETBALL standpoint. That is true, and Chris himself would be the first to tell anyone that. Mentioning that doesn't even come close to butting into his business or making some indictment of his entire life. Of course it's his life, and pretty much everyone who has commented thinks this is a feel-good story of someone that has turned his life around and contributing well to his community. It's perfectly normal to be very inspired by the personal growth Chris has experienced after basketball, while still being wistful about what his basketball career could have been, given his prodigious talent.
I saw him play at Lauringburg Institute when I was 6 years old. I still remember thinking how unstoppable he was. He seemed like a super hero to me at that age.
I worked with Chris in a rehab in Atlanta and like he talks about he was just there. But before he was admitted to rehab we played ball at the then very popular Run and Shoot gym. And it justed amazed me when i saw him on rehab. Low key demeanor always.
Chris and I were friends way back at highland elementary school we used to play horse together. Funny to think I was getting crushed by a future NBA player. I hate that he had those problems. But looks like all is well with him now.
He was an amazing talent, and you hate to see something like that wasted, but it is great to see that he is alive and most of all, happy, because that is what counts.
Wow... This guy was supposed to be one of the greatest to go to college and then to the NBA. Sometimes, what we want is not the way our story/play is written for us. Delighted to see he is doing well.
Not sure why I remember this so vividly but even in his first year at NC State Dick Vitale bashed Washburn’s character and stated while he was a great physical talent he was no fan of him on a personal level. Perhaps because Vitale was close friends with Jim Valvano was the reason that surprised me so much. Vitale smeared him more than a couple of times and it was also surprising because at that point Chris Washburn hadn’t really done anything that crazy (that I’m aware of) so perhaps that also is a reason I recall that so well. Oh Dick Vitale is a real dick.
He's so fortunate to still be here and have another chance at life and he's doing the best with it. Unfortunately Len Bias didn't get that chance too..
Glad to see he is healthy and happy at this stage in his life... As for players today, if you're a rookie, or even a veteran, signing even for 10mil a year, you can't take 3mil and put in an annuity account, assuring a paycheck after your playing days? Sugar Ray Leonard and other known athletes did it when their careers began with a big signing. Come on fellas, you won't miss that few million, but you will be happy you put it away!
Shortly after he was out of the league, I saw Washburn enter a convenience store in Houston where the clerk immediately threw him out as a known hustler / thief. I asked the clerk if that was Chris Washburn and he said yes and that he was banned from the store. Washburn went out and got in a van on the passenger side. I got in my car to leave and saw the van pass a hooker and then back up about 50 feet on a very busy South Main Street to try to pick her up. Glad to hear that he's making better decisions.
Chris use to buy crack in techwood projects near ga tech when he played for the atl hawks..He got beat up in the projects one night because he couldnt pay his dealer...Everybody check out ATL GANGSTER on youtube....great job chris
I was reading the Wikipedia page on Chris to find out what happened to him after he stole that radio and I was reading that there was no proof that he didn't have good grades. Well I'm here to solidify that rumor that's not a rumor. I went to High School with Chris Washburn our school was a private boarding school in Laurinberg North Carolina where he got a free ride while our Parents paid $10,000 a year me and my sister were sent to laurinberg boarding school there and I can tell you Chris was a big dummy. All he did was sleep in class and our owner of the school Dr. McDuffy told his teachers to pass him with A's we were mad because not only did he get a free ride at this expensive boarding school at the time but he didn't have to work because McDuffy said he was going to be this big time basketball player, that's all he did when he played for Laurinberg. They failed him at my boarding school passing him when he didn't earn to be passed it was sickening to watch and I wasn't surprised he stole that radio, I saw it coming a mile away because he was never given boundaries and accountability he just slid by, I wanted to give proof that he was dumb and didn't earn not one A.
Crime in Sports sent me here. At one point this guy was so stinky I guess drug dealers would actually pay him money to clean himself up, that's how low he got.
Dude is a winner..a survivor..not to many people make it back from the edge...kudos to him!!!....
Good to see him back and doing something for his community. Sometimes in life people learn early, some learn late, but at least you learned.
It is absolutely wonderful to see that Chris Washburn has finally got his life together and doing some positive wonderful things God bless you Chris stay strong brother
I had the opportunity to meet Chris Washburn at School 13 gym in Yonkers, New York back in 1994. He gave great advice to me and others about not using drugs and going the right path in life. Glad he's giving back to his community.
God bless you Chris, 66yrs and still kicking it, Keep hope alive my brother 🙏
Good to see him doing alright. All the best to him.
Good for you Chris. As a Warriors fan it bothered me cause of his BB talent wasted. Glad he is doing better.
Outstanding!!
Dude, he hurt himself far more than he ever hurt you. At least he survived to live a better day.
@@zyxwut321 Yeah no shit Mensa.
The first superstar I read about in SI. I was so hoping he would take off because I was in high school and he was near my age. Thank you for posting this!
I grew up with Chris. I have stories galore,but his mother is the real star...
Jay Jackson The guy was a stud at North Carolina State!!!!
Hammerschlägen M Shut up! Fake News!
good luck Chris never Give up Greetings from Poland
This age group had no real warning about crack. I know dudes who got hooked after smoking a primo and it was a wrap. Salute to you Chris. You could've given up but you didn't. God knew you were worth it.
All these people talking about "wasted" talent. It's HIS life, none of our business. None of us here would know or care about Chris Washburn without basketball, something that comes and goes even if he somehow "reached" his potential (whatever that might've looked like). His community, however, was here for him once he was ready to clean up for good and start contributing to society, something he's doing well and because of his experience, he brings a wisdom, maturity and empathy that might ultimately do more good than if he was simply a great basketball player who never addressed his demons and quietly struggled after his playing days. He was in the same draft class as Len Bias and unlike Bias, SURVIVED his drug use. I grew up in the DC area in the 80s and remembered how tragic Bias' story was and how devastating it was to the community, a sign of the times during the crack epidemic. Seeing Chris survive and thrive and have good years after all he's done and been through is a small spark of hope and inspiration. I never thought back in the 80s and 90s as a kid when I'd hear all the stories about Chris Washburn and him crashing and burning that he'd still be alive in the 2020s and being a modest but upstanding member of the community. A lot of life lessons here, even if he was a basketball cautionary tale. Hope he can live out the rest of his days in peace, love, family, community and service.
What do you mean "all these people"? I see literally just one other post mentioning talent wasted from a BASKETBALL standpoint. That is true, and Chris himself would be the first to tell anyone that. Mentioning that doesn't even come close to butting into his business or making some indictment of his entire life. Of course it's his life, and pretty much everyone who has commented thinks this is a feel-good story of someone that has turned his life around and contributing well to his community. It's perfectly normal to be very inspired by the personal growth Chris has experienced after basketball, while still being wistful about what his basketball career could have been, given his prodigious talent.
IT IS SO NICE TO SEE HIM BACK ON TOP AGAIN.
Happy for you Chris! Don't matter what you do make sure to enjoy yo life brotha! Much love.
I am glad to see him doing okay these days! I sure did enjoy watching him as a kid!
I’m from Hickory North Carolina I visited Chris when he was in rehab I told him he could turn his life around and make hickory proud of him again
I saw him play at Lauringburg Institute when I was 6 years old. I still remember thinking how unstoppable he was. He seemed like a super hero to me at that age.
ECSTATIC that ran across this vid.
REDEMPTION IS a BEAUTIFUL THANG
ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO THA MOST HIGH ! ✊🏿
What a great energy he has developed!
Great story...this guy was the truth in college!
I worked with Chris in a rehab in Atlanta and like he talks about he was just there. But before he was admitted to rehab we played ball at the then very popular Run and Shoot gym. And it justed amazed me when i saw him on rehab. Low key demeanor always.
Great story. Watched him play for state as a kid and state fan. Proud of you Chris for having the strength to sustain and overcome those demons.
If I ever travel that way, I will eat there for sure. Great looking chicken too.
May the good Lord continue to guide your steps and reign supreme in your heart and mind. Through it all, still standing and smiling.
I met Chris a few times in Oakland and Berkeley. Incredible player and truly a sweet guy.
He seems like great guy! Life has a way of humbling you. Great clip!
I remember this guy. He had unlimited talent.
Teach the young boys the right thing to do in life !
Chris and I were friends way back at highland elementary school we used to play horse together. Funny to think I was getting crushed by a future NBA player. I hate that he had those problems. But looks like all is well with him now.
johnny phillips dope 👍
That ex NBA player?? I remember him
He was an amazing talent, and you hate to see something like that wasted, but it is great to see that he is alive and most of all, happy, because that is what counts.
"19 to 26, those years went quick" that hit hard.
He actually said 19 to 46. I'm a witnesses that he's telling the truth too!
Len Bias was in that of the holding the basketball RIP Legend
*sigh*
Good for him that he's clean and living. The Warriors found their redemption too, eventually.
Good story. Incredible talent!
Loved him as a Warriors fan. I wish life would have turned out better for him. Seem like a really nice guy. Drugs are horrible.
Wow... This guy was supposed to be one of the greatest to go to college and then to the NBA. Sometimes, what we want is not the way our story/play is written for us.
Delighted to see he is doing well.
Good to see. Goes to show if you keep trying, eventually you get a break
So proud of you CHRIS 🙏❤️ You're a SUCCESS in LIFE 🙏
Whatever he did in the past is just that, the past. Looks like he is doing just fine now. Keep up the good work.
Awesome Chris folks love you...God is good
I'm going to hickory to get something to eat and meet Mr Washburn
Awesome story god bless
My uncle I’m from nc but I grew up in dallas with his 2 boys Julian & Chris jr rip Michelle love you Annie
Much respect Washburne.
I was so pumped when we drafted him
Good to see that he is doing well!
We in the hoopworld love you Chris God Bless.
Not sure why I remember this so vividly but even in his first year at NC State Dick Vitale bashed Washburn’s character and stated while he was a great physical talent he was no fan of him on a personal level. Perhaps because Vitale was close friends with Jim Valvano was the reason that surprised me so much. Vitale smeared him more than a couple of times and it was also surprising because at that point Chris Washburn hadn’t really done anything that crazy (that I’m aware of) so perhaps that also is a reason I recall that so well. Oh Dick Vitale is a real dick.
I'm glad he made it. He has a good thing going.
I remember reading about him in he paper when he was still playing. It said things like "Enough talent to make any coach drool, BUT..."
Great guy.
Seems like the kind of dude you just wanna give a handshake or a hug to upon approaching.
He was one of the most highly recruited high school basketball players in HISTORY
He spent his 11th grade year at Fork Union Military Academy.
Class of 2011
That’s my personal trainer
A Mama tough love brought him back
He's so fortunate to still be here and have another chance at life and he's doing the best with it. Unfortunately Len Bias didn't get that chance too..
I’m proud of him
Glad to see he is healthy and happy at this stage in his life...
As for players today, if you're a rookie, or even a veteran, signing even for 10mil a year, you can't take 3mil and put in an annuity account, assuring a paycheck after your playing days?
Sugar Ray Leonard and other known athletes did it when their careers began with a big signing.
Come on fellas, you won't miss that few million, but you will be happy you put it away!
I’ve seen him in person before. In my opinion, this guy is the modern day Shaq.
Salute Big Chris !!!
That Crack Era was real it ruined a lot of dreams.
Shortly after he was out of the league, I saw Washburn enter a convenience store in Houston where the clerk immediately threw him out as a known hustler / thief. I asked the clerk if that was Chris Washburn and he said yes and that he was banned from the store. Washburn went out and got in a van on the passenger side. I got in my car to leave and saw the van pass a hooker and then back up about 50 feet on a very busy South Main Street to try to pick her up. Glad to hear that he's making better decisions.
Actually the 3rd person game is a way to avoid responsibility. "Chris "did it...not me.
Glad for Chris ...
Literally 3 minutes from my house
❤️ chris washburn
God bless him 🙏
chris washburn is my cousin
@Samuel Henderson he still working in a restaurant 🤔
@@mickfunny4185 so?
@@stevenjm12 it’s a question🤔
@@mickfunny4185 nigga what?
@Steven Jacob nigga please don’t play like dat aight
Ayee shootout from the 828 I see him going to my local Walmart all the time
I always hated him playing my Heels. I wish he would have done better but he seems happy and I'm glad for him.
This was years ago - no more Washburn's Wings....😕
Mike Epps and Shaq brought me here..
Great story
nice guy
Rapper Alfamega pistol whipped this guy in the techwood projects back in the day.
💯
Chris use to buy crack in techwood projects near ga tech when he played for the atl hawks..He got beat up in the projects one night because he couldnt pay his dealer...Everybody check out ATL GANGSTER on youtube....great job chris
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Chris still smoking 🚬 good 👍🏿 😊
Probably he just keep it in check
Tobacco is the number one killer of all drugs. Kills more than all other drugs put together.
@@jarrodmurray6424 yes he knows how to function now
I’d imagine it’s awkward being a 6’11 crackhead.
Seriously though I’m very happy for him.
I was reading the Wikipedia page on Chris to find out what happened to him after he stole that radio and I was reading that there was no proof that he didn't have good grades. Well I'm here to solidify that rumor that's not a rumor. I went to High School with Chris Washburn our school was a private boarding school in Laurinberg North Carolina where he got a free ride while our Parents paid $10,000 a year me and my sister were sent to laurinberg boarding school there and I can tell you Chris was a big dummy. All he did was sleep in class and our owner of the school Dr. McDuffy told his teachers to pass him with A's we were mad because not only did he get a free ride at this expensive boarding school at the time but he didn't have to work because McDuffy said he was going to be this big time basketball player, that's all he did when he played for Laurinberg. They failed him at my boarding school passing him when he didn't earn to be passed it was sickening to watch and I wasn't surprised he stole that radio, I saw it coming a mile away because he was never given boundaries and accountability he just slid by, I wanted to give proof that he was dumb and didn't earn not one A.
Hickory?? Had a beautiful girlfriend from Hickory!
He got to play with Panagiotis Fasoulas.
I remember fasoulas long haired kid from Greece
@@stevencaple8383 you got it!
Obviously, food is now his drug.
Back when the Warriors sucked a drafting good players!
Crime in Sports sent me here. At one point this guy was so stinky I guess drug dealers would actually pay him money to clean himself up, that's how low he got.
Nc state alum
Washed and burned.... Anyone?
Garbage audio.
He didn't even make enough money to fix that tooth gap?
@Ivan Merkovic dental work is expensive
Maybe he didn't want to