Rex Chapman

Rex Chapman, a former professional basketball player, is best known for his illustrious career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a high school phenomenon in Kentucky, earning numerous accolades for his performance. His talent was further showcased during his tenure at the University of Kentucky, where he scored over 1,000 points and won additional awards. Chapman was the first draft pick of the Charlotte Hornets and played for four NBA teams, including the Washington Bullets, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. He played a total of 666 regular season NBA games and scored 9,731 points, averaging 14.6 points per game over his 12-year NBA career.

Following his retirement from professional basketball, Chapman transitioned into a variety of roles within the NBA. He held several positions, including vice president of player personnel with the Denver Nuggets. Additionally, he became a broadcaster for University of Kentucky basketball games and made appearances on NBA on TNT and Inside the NBA, among others. His contributions to the sport were not limited to his playing and administrative roles; Chapman also experienced a personal journey of overcoming addiction to opioids, which he developed due to injuries sustained during his NBA career.

Chapman traces his problems back to early struggles with anxiety. In his autobiography, co-written with CBS Sports' Seth Davis, "It's Hard for Me to Live with Me," Chapman mentions throwing up on the court in front of his father and how, after that moment, he continuously threw up before every game for the rest of his career. After routine surgery, Chapman developed an opioid addiction that, at its peak, had him taking up to 50 painkillers a day. The drug problem led to a gambling addiction that cost him nearly all of his earnings from his NBA career. In 2014, Chapman hit what he describes as rock bottom after being arrested for shoplifting and went on to enter rehab three times before sobriety stuck.

Chapman's sphere of influence expanded beyond the basketball court as he became a prominent social media influencer and broadcaster. With over a million followers on Twitter, he leveraged his platform to raise over $150,000 to support those experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also hosts a podcast called "The Rex Chapman Show" with actor Josh Hopkins and presents a show on Adult Swim titled "Block or Charge," based on his tweets. His podcast, "Charges with Rex Chapman," is being adapted into a TV show, further solidifying his reputation as a valuable commentator and public figure beyond his basketball career. He also has a new sports podcast, "Owned with Rex Chapman," which discusses the elite world of sports owners.