The Curse of the Greater Boston Standout: Rumuel Robinson & Chris Herren

[huzy]

This recent story about Rumuel Robinson and his stepmother triggered a notion that I found interesting and indentified with as someone who grew up in Boston. Robinson and Chris Herren were probably the two most prominent High School players to come out of Eastern Massachusetts in the 1990’s. (Robinson as a star at Cambridge Ridge and Latin and Herren at Durfee High School in Fall River, MA) For an area that has produced a surprisingly low number of elite basketball players in the last 20 years, these two were the standouts.   Both had careers in the NBA and both have experienced very different problems off the court in their post basketball lives.   

In the case of Herren, after leaving Boston College because of injuries and off the court concerns, he went on to Fresno State to play for “the Godfather” of taking troubled yet talented basketball players, Jerry Tarkanian. Then following a “cup of coffee” career in the NBA with stops in Denver and the Celtics, Herren’s life took a downward spiral that culminated in his crashing into a local Dunkin Donuts storefront high on heroin.

To read a more complete summary of Herren’s story, the below story from the Globe is an interesting read: 
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/05/31/changing_of_guard_a_sober_chris_herren_set_for_post_hoop_life/

I also highly recommend the book, Fall River Dreams. This story serves as a telling precursor to Herren’s troubles and is a groundbreaking book for anyone who has ever played or followed high school basketball.

Back to the story on Robinson, allegedly, after having the street where he grew up in Cambridge named after him, Robinson convinced his stepmother to sign over ownership of her two-family home for $600,000, which she never saw. This is the house that Robinson was welcomed into as an adopted child after he was abandoned at age 2.  His stepmother is now struggling to pay rent in a Somerville apartment because she was forced to vacate the property, due to Robinson’s actions. Furthermore, Robinson was recently accused of amongst other charges, bank fraud, and his financial and personal life seems to be in a state of chaos.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/13/more_than_a_game_is_on_the_line/

 For any basketball fan that grew up in Massachusetts, these two names should at least be familiar, if not remembered as the two most successful players in recent memory. As a region rich with basketball history, appreciation and talent, it is truly unfortunate to see the troubles that both of these men, as the most prominent recent regional standouts, have encountered.

I thought the correlation of these struggles with their exclusivity of being standouts from the Boston area were remarkable, if not somehow reflective of this region.

Here’s hoping that both men are able to get their lives back on track and that the Greater Boston area will be able to produce successful and admirable athletes that will represent both on and off the court.

[Redz]

Good stuff, thanks.

Herren's tale is well known, but I was unaware of Rumeal's. 

[Roy Hobbs]

Nice thread. 

[huzy]

Thanks, Guys...

Fingers crossed Courtney Sims (Roslindale, MA) has better luck in the league!

[Neurotic Guy]

Thanks for this thread huzy.  Really interesting and quite sad.

Drawing a lot of blanks thinking about other Boston standouts -- in attempt to disprove the 'curse'.   From my younger days, a big name was Ronnie Perry who didn't amount to much as a player but I think has had a solid life.  Wayne Turner was a prep school stanout and Boston native. Again, not much of an NBA guy, but seems a solid citizen -- still playing overseas. Ernie Digregorio was born in Providence -- OK career. And , of course, the curse-buster -- Patrick Ewing of Cambridge Rindge and Latin -- moved to Cambridge as a kid and has been solid throughout, basketball (a lot more than solid) and otherwise.

[Truck Lewis]

when one speaks of great boston HS players that had tragic ends one name trumps them all.  Jamal Jackson.  He was an amazing player at East Boston High and was flourishing at Cleveland State before he was tragically killed at 22. 

I attended a camp where Jackson and Umass star Carmelo Trevieso were coaches and both were class acts and great players.  Jamal's death is another example of curse boston standouts

[dark_lord]

when one speaks of great boston HS players that had tragic ends one name trumps them all.  Jamal Jackson.  He was an amazing player at East Boston High and was flourishing at Cleveland State before he was tragically killed at 22. 

I attended a camp where Jackson and Umass star Carmelo Trevieso were coaches and both were class acts and great players.  Jamal's death is another example of curse boston standouts

co-sign....that BABC AAU team that had jackson, herren, penn, traveiso, curley, turner, etc team used to beat up on us.  jackson was nba bound for sure.

[Pierce4Prez]

One name that immediately comes to mind is Dana Barros. He appeared a bit earlier than Robinson and Herren, but has been about as stable of a Boston basketball icon as there has been for the past 25+ years (Xaverian Brothers in HS, BC in college, and later with the Celtics).

He actually had a sneaky good career. He averaged over 20 per game in 94-95 with the Sixers, making the All-Star team and winning the Most Improved Player award that year.

He continued to work within the city after his playing days were over and currently works in the Celtics media relations department.

Aside from Ewing, probably about as solid a career / social impact as any Boston hoops standouts.

[Redz]

One name that immediately comes to mind is Dana Barros. He appeared a bit earlier than Robinson and Herren, but has been about as stable of a Boston basketball icon as there has been for the past 25+ years (Xaverian Brothers in HS, BC in college, and later with the Celtics).

He actually had a sneaky good career. He averaged over 20 per game in 94-95 with the Sixers, making the All-Star team and winning the Most Improved Player award that year.

He continued to work within the city after his playing days were over and currently works in the Celtics media relations department.

Aside from Ewing, probably about as solid a career / social impact as any Boston hoops standouts.

I remember Barros pouring in 81 in a game in high school.

And one of my biggest missed sporting event regrets is not going to the state championship at the Garden when Ewing was a Senior at Rindge.  They were playing BC High who had a center from my home town.  I heard it was quite a scene.

[Truck Lewis]

when one speaks of great boston HS players that had tragic ends one name trumps them all.  Jamal Jackson.  He was an amazing player at East Boston High and was flourishing at Cleveland State before he was tragically killed at 22. 

I attended a camp where Jackson and Umass star Carmelo Trevieso were coaches and both were class acts and great players.  Jamal's death is another example of curse boston standouts

co-sign....that BABC AAU team that had jackson, herren, penn, traveiso, curley, turner, etc team used to beat up on us.  jackson was nba bound for sure.

what an amazing team that was...wow

[huzy]

One name that immediately comes to mind is Dana Barros. He appeared a bit earlier than Robinson and Herren, but has been about as stable of a Boston basketball icon as there has been for the past 25+ years (Xaverian Brothers in HS, BC in college, and later with the Celtics).

He actually had a sneaky good career. He averaged over 20 per game in 94-95 with the Sixers, making the All-Star team and winning the Most Improved Player award that year.

He continued to work within the city after his playing days were over and currently works in the Celtics media relations department.

Great call on Dana Barros. TP

I wouldn’t lump this in with the challenges of Herren and Robinson, but Dana had serious trouble with the athletic complex he built in Mansfield, formerly the Dana Barros complex. Link below:
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/05/30/barros_attempts_to_rebound_from_failed_business_venture/

According to the story, he left several contractors and creditors unpaid and was in a heated legal battle over hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The most unfortunate part of this story is that the concept was so novel. He really just wanted to build a recreation center.

However, as a role model, I think Barross’ current standing as a Boston area representative is top notch! He does excellent work with player development for the Celtics and I’ve heard he’s doing a lot of working at a new center in Sharon, MA.

I also agree that Billy Curley has to be mentioned as a positive story, Scoonie Penn as well.

[PierceMVP08]

All great names there.  I don't remember some of them seeing as I am only 22.  Anybody heard of or have any updates of recent standouts Anthony Gurly (Newton North via Dorchester I think) and Jeff Adrien of Brookline?  Last I heard of Gurly he had transferred to UMASS after being recruited to Wake Forest and having a pretty good freshman year (this was about 2 years ago).  I think Adrien was well known in his time at UCONN. 

[DoubleDip]

How about Will Blaylock. Starred at East Boston High School, came out of Mission Hill.

Recently saw him playing against us on the Nets, #13.

[dark_lord]

when one speaks of great boston HS players that had tragic ends one name trumps them all.  Jamal Jackson.  He was an amazing player at East Boston High and was flourishing at Cleveland State before he was tragically killed at 22. 

I attended a camp where Jackson and Umass star Carmelo Trevieso were coaches and both were class acts and great players.  Jamal's death is another example of curse boston standouts

co-sign....that BABC AAU team that had jackson, herren, penn, traveiso, curley, turner, etc team used to beat up on us.  jackson was nba bound for sure.

what an amazing team that was...wow

yes, they were ridiculously good.  leo papile was coaching them at the time too.  they were the national aau champs at one point as well.