Georgina Lennon :: Chris Anrin Interview...

From tennis to basketball, Chris Anrin has always had a strong passion for sport.  When he was younger he dreamt of being a tennis player, so it came as a bit of a surprise to him when his friend Eric, got him involved in basketball.

“By chance Eric asked me to come play with him one day.

“I was never very interested in the game but after playing a couple of times I began to love it and I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Chris.

Chris spent four years studying in the US, at Providence (Rhode Island) College, where he gained his degree in Marketing. 

On returning from college he began playing for his national team, Sweden, in 2005, after being part of the younger side in previous years. He then went on to play for Giessan 49ers, where he met, Rocks Coach, Thorsten Lebenath.

It was during his time with the 49ers that Chris’s life was turned upside down when he was received a yearlong ban for having a banned substance in his system.

“When I got the phone-call from my coach I had no idea what I’d done or what could possibly be wrong,” said Chris.

“I knew I hadn’t done or taken anything, so couldn’t understand what the problem was,” he continues.

It was later discovered that Chris had been using a hair-restoration product that contained the banned substance, Carbody-Finasterid, something he had been using for years, unaware that it had recently been added to the banned substance list.

“My life fell apart at that time,” admits Chris.

“As soon as the news broke I had reporters and TV cameras at my house. “My parents got phone-calls at all times of the day and everywhere we went photographers followed us.“It was a very difficult time for both myself and my family,” says Chris.

During that year, Chris hoped he’d be able to keep his fitness up, ready to return to the game next season, however a recurring knee injury meant he spent most of that time in physio, recovering.“Spending that time in physio has meant I’ve really had to work hard to re-gain my fitness,” says Chris.

“I thought that after a couple of weeks back playing I’d be back to peak fitness, but I was way off, it’s been a real struggle, but I’ve enjoyed my time at the Rocks.  Playing with such good guys and the fans are great.” Chris’s own struggles are the reason he admires players like NBA star Larry Bird. “Larry has overcome his lack of physical ability by out-smarting people, which shows you don’t always have to be on top of your game to be the best.”