Former NBA star Rex Chapman has laid bare his life's trials and tribulations in a new memoir, offering an unflinching look at his past struggles with addiction and his efforts toward recovery. The book, titled "It's Hard for Me to Live with Me: A Memoir," co-authored with Seth Davis, was born out of a candid conversation about Chapman's demons and eventual path to redemption. In a statement obtained by ABC News, Chapman shared the origin of his memoir's title, revealing that it stemmed from his reflection on the difficulty of living with himself and the impact his struggles might have had on another person in the context of a romantic relationship.
Chapman, who lost his financial stability and strained family relationships due to his addictions, candidly discussed the impact of his actions. "For a large part of my kids' life, I was a drug addict," Chapman disclosed in an interview conducted by 12news. His journey to recovery was by no means straightforward, featuring multiple stints in rehab and life-changing advice from friends such as his former college coach Rick Pitino, who metaphorically described the rehabilitation process as progressively diminishing the size of the metaphorical "expletive" one has to endure.
Chapman played 12 years in the NBA, with a notable stint with the Phoenix Suns, and his post-career struggles have also been a battle with gambling, aside from substance abuse. Reflecting on the less-discussed gambling addiction, he shared with ABC News that he had engaged in betting since he was six years old, primarily on thoroughbreds. Despite his challenges, Chapman's commitment to change has brought back precious relationships, especially with his children. As he looks to the future with cautious optimism, he no longer identifies solely with the game of basketball but still enjoys its presence in his life and appreciates that people value his experiences despite his past.
Life after basketball has also seen Chapman taking on a role with the Suns once again, this time from a courtside capacity, engaging in consultations and enjoying that his son, Zeke, works within the organization as a video coordinator. "I love that even after all these years after so many mistakes, there are people that still value my experiences," Chapman proclaimed, according to 12news. While the memoir lays out his darkest days, Chapman hopes it serves as a beacon to others dealing with similar issues. "If you hear one thing it can change your whole life," Chapman stated, echoing the sentiment that his emotional journey, now encapsulated in print, can inspire those in need of hearing his message.
