Basketball’s Darkest Drug Days...

In this deep dive into The NBA's Darkest Drug Days, we uncover the tragic stories of four players whose promising careers were derailed by addiction: Chris Washburn, Robert Swift, Richard Dumas, and Spencer Haywood. From top draft picks and rising stars to their battles with drugs and personal demons, this video explores how these players struggled under the weight of fame, pressure, and addiction. We take a close look at how their personal stories reflect a troubling era in the NBA, when drug abuse was rampant and the league was fighting to clean up its image. Join us as we explore the highs and devastating lows of these once-bright basketball talents, and how the NBA eventually overcame its darkest drug crisis.

[@swishcountyproductions]

Subscribe while you're here plz:)

[@bringthepayne7561]

You sound like Cam Capone😊

[@gerryfegan3608]

Just glad the first guy was able to get over the drugs and get his life together. I was addicted to heroin from the age of 16 to about 22.I'm twenty eight now and i've been six years sober from heroin

[@fredjohnson4057]

Congratulations

[@sfrank8687]

The first guy!!😂

[@gerryfegan3608]

@@fredjohnson4057 thanks man

[@sammysabo6777]

Chase?

[@gerryfegan3608]

@sammysabo6777 are you asking if that's my name? Because it's not

[@jpmnky]

In 2001 ESPN made a documentary on the turmoil of the 1986 draft. Been looking for it the last 23 years.

[@logosfocus]

twas all but a dream

[@EduQueirozRocha]

And I'm still looking for Drazen Petrovic's documentary to this day.

[@elijahbruno2814]

​@@EduQueirozRochathe 30 for 30 about him and Vlade Divac was really good. Once Brothers it's called I believe

[@jpmnky]

@@elijahbruno2814- That was one of the best 30 for 30 docs. And stood out among all those awesome documentaries of those first couple seasons. It was his documentary, Divac’s. And he was still heartbroken 20 years after losing Drazen’s friendship. Once Brothers.

[@jpmnky]

@@logosfocusLOL. Nah. It was real. I watched it the night it aired and haven’t been able to find it anywhere at all. And the fact it was 23 years ago is insane.

[@patrickhook4424]

I went to Chris Herrens basketball camp, the guy is a legend. At the end of the camp on Friday, he took a microphone and made a speech about life, and then walked to half court and made a half court shot, first try. The whole gym went nuts as we all watched from the stands.

[@allen35315]

My one regret as a basketball fan in Boston; Never got a chance to see Herron play in high school. One game I attempted to get into was sold out. That’s the kind of draw he was.

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

I used to be an addict, so hard to quit

[@JayLandon64]

Technically, once an addict, always an addict. Just depends on if you are recovering or using.

[@Bigedub101]

Giving ur child beer at 5 is diabolical

[@CarmenBelcher]

The fact that there are sooooo many more stories about nba drug addicts makes this even sadder.

[@rickyspanish3821]

The 1986 NBA Draft was is in shambles from 1 drug... RIP Len Bias... ☘️🙏🏽

[@MrReymoclif714]

That was a DARK DARK MOMENT for everyone who watched!!! He took a big hit of crack and his heart was broken.

[@russellst.martin4255]

Dumas was one of my favorite players as a kid. 16 and 5 on over 50% as a rookie on a Finals team....all while under the influence.

[@CJEstradaMartinez]

Suns owner Jerry Colangelo was strongly against drafting Richard Dumas, saying “I have seen these kind of players before.”

[@borganfreeman]

Yinka Dare is the biggest bust ever IMO. Nobody talks about him but he was a disaster for the Nets. They gave him a 6 year deal out the gate and he gave them absolutely nothing on the court whatsoever. He got hurt in 3 minutes tore his ACL and it was over. They thought he was going be the Nigerian version of Shaq. Not even close. He died of a heart attack at like 30 or something. It's interesting that hardly nobody covers his story. He was hyped up coming out of college too but vanished after the NBA. There was no news on him until he died.

[@shazaalala28]

dare was drafted 14th overall. rarely do you see 14 overall picks become hailed as hall of famers pre-draft, so it’s not like he’s as big as a bust as a number 1 pick like oden or bennett.

[@borganfreeman]

@@shazaalala28 you got to be old enough to remember that he fell in the draft and was projected to go top 3. Go rewatch the draft and look up pre draft predictions. He was looked at as a steal in the draft. Nobody thought he would go outside of the top 5 especially after that NCAA run. He carried George Washington to the sweet 16 and was hyped up big time going into the draft. He was the next pick after Jalen Rose. If Jalen Rose flopped he would be labeled as a bust even at number 13. He was a project but he had hype that's why he went that high. 14 isn't necessarily a low pick

[@kylenickelberry1602]

​@borganfreeman Yinka Dare is a draft bust, but only because he just wasn't good. I was 29 in 1994 so let's kill the too young noise. Any talk about being a top 5 pick was draft scuttlebutt. Nobody's taking Dare over Robinson, Kidd, Hill, or even Eric Montross (who was a way more polished big man) so let's stop trying to rewrite history.

[@bjray9778]

I mean that says more about the nets if they giving a 6 year deal to the 14th pick like he was a generational prospect 😂

[@shazaalala28]

@@borganfreeman ok, but if 13 teams decide that would pick random players over a predicted top 3, then is he really a top 3 pick? maybe according to draft boards, but that isn’t reflective of the view of actual gms. he isn’t a bigger bust than an actual top 3 pick.

[@chrislewis5069]

Not a far cry from being an nba star. Getting clean sober and living in recovery is more courageous than most people can truly understand if done the way the 12 steps teaches. You're changing your thinking and actions, every way you've thought and acted up to that point. You're working to clean up your past and make amends to people harmed. You're taking daily inventory of your actions and looking where you can be of service to others. You're focusing on what you can control and not what others are doing. I've done it and it's far more courageous than being a nba star. It's different at the very least and Chris Washburn is a courageous man to be able to recover.

[@kevinobrien479]

The 12 steps is a stupid cult.

[@JK-gm6kk]

​@@kevinobrien479I wish I could disagree.

[@MarkCzmic420]

Washburn is a sad story. Every rookie coming in should know about. Roy Tarpley also

[@Bigedub101]

Crazy thing I know people who went to school to Washburn and said he was good but he actually was seen on the streets of North Carolina. They had to force him to get up got games like he worked a crappy part time job

[@dokuson1017]

“Nobody busted harder in the NBA than Chris Washburn “ AYO

[@divinedelaware7541]

😂😂😂

[@KingstonDope]

Yeah he could’ve at least said WNBA

[@i10twin]

You are so corny and lame

[@Iwasherelol14]

Chris Herren has been to everyone’s high school at this point

[@JK-gm6kk]

That 30 for 30 we watched in more than one rehab

[@mathewomolo]

The tragedy of hard drugs. Especially with people whose lives had a golden path laid out for them is even sadder fr. Seek therapy guys.

[@barbaranewton8732]

I don't know how these guys could even play. You can't stop smoking crack once you light up your first hit until money runs out. Crashing on this drug is the pits mentally.

[@GARBO96]

So when people say Jordan was playing coke heads they are not exaggerating

[@coomsicle]

jordan himself said he went into a hotel room at the hotel his team was staying and the whole team was there doing blow and smoking weed and drinking with groupies, when jordan was a rookie. the 80s was a big coke era, every rich aspect of society was into it.

[@adamberndt4190]

0:10 I don't think it's "Stealing" if you take food from the trash. Your labeling him a thief for NOT stealing? Smfh watch those accusations, they hurt people.

[@matthewrodriguez3297]

My thought exactly

[@jbthestoner5504]

Technically once it ends up in a dumpster it's property of the trash collection company. So in theory it is stealing, but I don't think the garbage man cares.

[@j-mac7401]

Another player that comes to mind and had all the right tools to easily be a multi year All-Star :Roy Tarpley. Tarpley was a stud on the court but after many 2nd chances - the NBA let him go. He couldn't leave the street life that ultimately ended is life.

[@CJEstradaMartinez]

It was shocking to learn that Roy Tarpley had passed away after squandering many chances.

[@thebestcentaur]

I'm just glad Haywood made the HoF at the end. Could have had a far better career, but ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP in your first season, multiple-time All-Star, AND an NBA title?! Yeah, dude was going into Springfield sooner or later

[@Rinaldiii]

You know you got a little bit of money when you can file for bankruptcy 😂😂😂

[@ThatBoyPause]

“No one busted harder” is crazy

[@BlackSheepbro0307]

0:30 Can we stop saying Sam Bowie was a bust. His career longer than Washburn and Bennett put together. He just underperformed during his career but he got injured.

[@SpicyLoaf-uw1hp]

thats what a bust is, someone who didnt pan out how they couldve

[@yusefinc1096]

Sam Bowie is a bust. Unfortunately he had bad legs. Bowie unfortunately was drafted #2 between future champions and HOFers Olajuwon and the GOAT Jordan.

[@theaabsbryant]

sam bowie did some incredible shit in college, but he had femurs made of wet sand

[@yusefinc1096]

@ I agree. And most should know that the league championships went through a big dominant center up until the last 10-12 years.

[@CHSN-1]

The 85' draft class was one of the worst ever? Its actually ranks as one of the best draft classes ever lol. Karl Malone, Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Joe Dumars etc to name a few. 5 Hall of Famers with 3 guys that played on the Dream Team. I thought this was common knowledge lol? The 84-85 draft classes were amazing

[@Kobe-jz2zz]

Drinking a 6 pack before every game ? Wtf...

[@miguelitoasuncion1948]

Drugs are definitely a problem when you got money, but a broke person can’t do nothing At all. Go figure

[@mrsikes410]

Oh how little u know

[@bigd5092]

Chris was my neighbor when he got drafted..... still see him daily....

[@Bigedub101]

I knew someone who he knew him too and during his dark days

[@zeke3388]

Chris Herren was a good player, and his story is wild

[@michaelsteding7720]

It's like Rick James said. Cocaine, it's a hell of a drug.

[@janboblarry]

Glad Washburn turned his life around. Want to look up that interview he was doing now.

[@divinedelaware7541]

Never even heard of that Swift kid. He must have gotten no burn. Straight outta highschool too. Where, When?? How he's well

[@Bigedub101]

I remember him from playing NBA Live

[@archstanton2818]

NBA was great. It sucks now

[@Maronator]

"Chris Washburn, you're in... The Haaaaaaaaal of Shame!!!"

[@valvenis2601]

I lived in Massachusetts in high school I remember when Herren came to my high school . Real ass dude, took time to talk to every single one of us individually. I bet he still could’ve ran us all in a game if we pushed him lmaao

[@tewodrosii2875]

0:53 magic is from my hometown, hes wearing the jersey for Everett High School, my moms high school. Also, magics parents used to babysit me as I went to the same church as them and they ran the nursery, but his dad would look after me and sometimes even watch basketball with me. I remember him watching a knicks game with me and saying "John Starks aint got nothin on my boy!" God, i miss that guy 😂

[@bxmmo2x]

Shoulda put steven jackson on this list first person inna league off the wock😂💯

[@RexT3rra]

A feen told me that u do it one time you’ll be hooked for life

[@Noifsnobutsnococonuts-rj4kk]

“Upwards of just under” ???

[@tapedlocks]

imagine failing an exam the same day a known crackhead drops 30 on you

[@GreatMewtwo]

Imagine realizing that the crackhead was a 3-time high school All-American.

[@anthonypile395]

Reminds me of the Genesis song Throwing It All Away

[@CJEstradaMartinez]

I’m reminded of this line from “Love Takes Time” by Mariah Carey: “I had it all, but I let it slip away”

[@YouTube_Disciple_YTD_Demon]

Dam his Mom is 40 years older than him .. that's his grandma he just don't know it .. I heard back in the day when daughters would have a baby as a younger teenager 12-15 sometimes their mother would raise the child as her own as the the birth mother's sibling I don't know how true it is so maybe someone 50+ can confirm or deny but I'm sure at has at least happened before since nothing is new under the sun.

[@Bigedub101]

I wouldn't be surprised it's same as people love acting like back then was so different, it just wasn't internet to get info as fast.

[@matthewwhite5600]

I remember Richard Dumas,man he gave Pippen fits in the 93 Finals

[@MrReymoclif714]

Rugged style of play.

[@SadLayfWayUyab]

how about david thompson?

[@zubsiro]

Thank the basketball gods for David Stern

[@Renzo_Benzo]

yuo go from triple digit paychecks to 6 figures a month and you dont know what to do with all that money

[@HeresTheThingOfItYoutube]

Dumas was a really fun player

[@MrReymoclif714]

Some guys in here I’ve never seen! Waittaminutte!!! That’s RICHARD Dumas and not JOE DUMAS???

[@awakenthewoke1091]

I couldn't imagine blowing some lines then playing a basketball game.

[@johnbutler2780]

Ya maybe the dope they get is different. Really can’t do much of anything after some lines. The whole your Stronger faster sharper isn’t what I see or know. Your stuck with your heart beating out of chest then 20 mins later you need a line rinse and repeat.

[@bandito241]

We were lucky MJ didn’t used that shit.

[@XylophonesWrld]

Some people think he used Coke.. me personally I don't think so

[@shagg21]

I'm sure he would have tried to be the best at it

[@cedricliggins7528]

Rumor has it that he did occasionally

[@tapedlocks]

@@XylophonesWrld jordan could never do moderation lmao if he did coke he would make sure he was the best at doing coke and probably die

[@Bigedub101]

​@@tapedlocks😂😂😂That be bad but why I laugh. His competitive spirit 😂😂

[@HAHAZODIACK]

LIBRA, you know like Benny Anderson, the fab five with Clyde Davis and Elija one do you remember that college team? you remember Chapman Derek Rose it’s always drug problems. LIBRA the scale weigh up and down. You never know what you’re gonna get.

[@antwanharris8902]

Bro, just imagine Spencer Maywood get a past just bc of his fucking manger. He had the biggest opportunity. 10 percent of nike or 100k he wanted the 10 percent manger took the 100k behide his back.smh 10 percent of nike today think about.

[@Bigedub101]

😂😂He be by far the richest

[@DevanteWilliams-u1g]

I see dumas like every other day and the spice got him

[@popcorn9791]

What is he saying in that gym talk? All echo.

[@Maronator]

1:35 is he saying his mom and dad gave him crack or told him not to do crack? Maybe explain tbat better

[@JayLandon64]

David Thompson would have been good for this video.

[@Mamameloracing]

Bronny is fighting Hard for that Label

[@brl0522]

I have never heard of crack laced weed.. hmmm sounds fishy

[@MrReymoclif714]

Just put the rocks on top of the weed. When Jamaicans smoke it with a joint they call it an oooooley! 1986!

[@brl0522]

@really? Never heard of it..Scary shit imo

[@williamsmith1738]

Where Bill Walton??

[@Dteeeeeeeeeeeee]

The narrator referred to Dumas as a crackhead, addicted to crack. Neither is true. It was pure cocaine. Nice though to see them overcome their struggles.

[@conormcgregor7325]

Are drugs that good? What should I try?

[@mattjones6323]

Crack

[@conormcgregor7325]

@ I tried the crack. Made me feel weird. Next?

[@coreybanks8636]

How do you STEAL food outta garbage can?

[@virgillesaca]

Damn Washburn was a tall ass bum

[@liviaforeign6630]

Omar Odom..

[@The2006Scaper]

The north remembers

[@SteveIrunguJermaine]

Dear Lord Jesus help me to make the right decisions in life in Jesus Christ name Amen

[@FULANODETAL]

so in NBA or usa..you went from unprofesiona college to NBA without any intermedial phase...?not even luka don did that on real madrid

[@brandonoliver7624]

I love the video bro but by no means did u give Chris enough credit yeah he fucked off what he could’ve been but he got it right and is now earning a solid living

[@97mrick]

Quit with the typing sounds and shit lmfao I want to scratch my eyes out. Otherwise the video is prefect

[@dailymeme6476]

Nobody busted harder is crazy

[@frog5104]

Why are we hearing a keyboard?? This is irritating

[@swishcountyproductions]

Sorry!

[@IceManLikeGervin]

Eddie Griffin...

[@terrys4351]

Yeah. That is tragic story.

[@StinkyBoar]

Damn

[@JeremyTaylor-bh6dx]

No offense, bro, but drug addiction is not stupidity it is a disease just like alcoholism cocaine even took a hold of a pope back in the 1800s where he drank Italian wine laced with cocaine I know from experience from my uncle going in cocaine rages out of nowhere and it would definitely frighten me seeing how much bigger and stronger he was than I was at 18 hopefully he's doing much better and I still love him dearly as someone I'm proud to be his nephew of and as a former crackhead myself, I have to tell you in everybody to have mercy on people who get on this drug yes it is a bad decision, but the hell you go through from such a horrible drug is that including cocaine all in and of itself is something that should be extinct coca leaves should not exist anymore in the way I even got into most drugs and yes you name the drug, I probably done it these are just men who fell into something that was created by Satan himself the bigger they are the Harder They Fall

[@RayzeCruxis]

You said it yourself its a decision and if they keep making a bad decision with all the help available, then it is stupidity and mind you this is coming from a child of an alcoholic and coke addict father and opioid addict mother.

[@RayzeCruxis]

An illness with many services to help and to me if you don't want the help with ppl begging you to get help, you earned the stupidity label.

[@antoniotutt4894]

No it's stupidity. A disease is something one cannot control getting. A stupid choice is just that-a stupid conscious choice. Period.

[@WoodT92]

Its a self inflicted disease. Addiction is terrible and i know its almost impossible to get over it but if you willingly get into it, i feel that the responsibility lies on you.

[@HAHAZODIACK]

When are you gonna talk about Chris Washburn? or should I say Lenny Cook Dennis Rodman Charleston, White James Brown, Marcus, Dupree Hunter, and they all got the same big ass smile. Those Pee-wee Kirkland. talented than a motherfucker people, but as soon as one of them, motherfuckers hit any kind of drugs it’s over

[@pgdog888]

Chris was lazy very lazy and big headed. I'm a Dubs fan. A wasted pick.

[@JackLalane-yt4iu]

Can't wait until the NBA's PED scandal to get exposure. LeBalco is gonna get the Lance Armstrong treatment.

[@sfrank8687]

Ben simmons!!!

[@NormanEspina-ov6bn]

Hi

[@GARYDARNELL-w4e]

ADAM MORRISON JACKASS WHO LOOK LIKE YOU 💯💯🏀🏀