{"id":1514471,"date":"2022-06-14T10:28:39","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1514471"},"modified":"2022-06-14T10:28:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:28:42","slug":"golden-state-warriors-bust-chris-washburn-gets-real-about-his-nba-journey-they-invested-in-a-million-dollar-crackhead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/golden-state-warriors-bust-chris-washburn-gets-real-about-his-nba-journey-they-invested-in-a-million-dollar-crackhead\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden State Warriors Bust Chris Washburn Gets Real About His NBA Journey: ‘They Invested In a Million-Dollar Crackhead'"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chris Washburn had it all <\/a>\u2014 or so many thought. The Golden State Warriors<\/a> bought it. They also paid the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 6-foot-11, 225 pounds, the athletic Washburn was the envy of many NBA teams. The Warriors bit and made him the third pick in the 1986 NBA Draft<\/a> after playing one full season at North Carolina State. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His NBA career ended in the blink of an eye. Speaking earlier this year at the 2022 F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival to promote his upcoming memoir, Washburn admitted the NBA “invested in a million-dollar crackhead.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Golden State Warriors swung and missed with Chris Washburn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Golden
Golden State Warriors top draft pick Chris Washburn, the third player taken in the 1986 NBA Draft, displays his new Warriors jersey during a press conference in Oakland, Calif. | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In high school, Washburn was one of the top three recruits. His size, athleticism, and potential intrigued scouts throughout the country. After his quick college career, he bolted for the NBA, knowing he'd be a lottery pick and secure a million-dollar deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Cleveland Cavaliers selected center Brad Daugherty with the No. 1 pick and the Boston Celtics took Len Bias at No. 2,<\/a> Golden State pulled the trigger on Washburn. George Karl, then the coach of the Warriors, immediately had his doubts after seeing Washburn during training camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had to take him,\u201d Karl told Sports Illustrated<\/a> in February 1987. \u201cBut sometimes I wonder if we drafted the kind of player who will always break your heart. He did great for three weeks in camp. Then it was like somebody got in his head and told him he didn\u2019t have to work anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work ethic was a problem for Washburn, but it wasn't nearly his biggest issue. Drugs consumed him. He failed three drug tests in three years before receiving a lifetime ban from the NBA in June 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He played only 72 games in the NBA, starting two. Washburn has career averages of 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washburn on the NBA: ‘They invested in a million-dollar crackhead'<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6\u201911, 225 lb
Laurinburg Institute
(Laurinburg, North Carolina)
NC State (1984\u20131986)
NBA draft
1986 \/ Round: 1 \/ Pick: 3rd overall

15-seconds of Chris Washburn, y\u2019all... https:\/\/t.co\/zyskxOWhkZ<\/a><\/p>— Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc (@RexChapman) September 25, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote>