It's Hard for Me to Live with Me

A Memoir

By: Rex Chapman, Seth Davis - contributor

Narrated by: Rex Chapman

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A powerful memoir from the University of Kentucky basketball legend, NBA veteran, and social media influencer about his recovery from addiction.

He is considered by many the greatest basketball player ever produced by the hoops-crazy state of Kentucky. In two years at the University of Kentucky, he scored over 1,000 points, led the Wildcats to a Sweet Sixteen appearance and was nicknamed “King Rex.” The first player ever drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, he spent twelve seasons in the NBA, dazzling in dunk contests and sinking one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in league history. But by the end of his career, Rex Chapman was harboring a destructive secret.

Years before America’s opioid crisis would become national news, Chapman developed a dependency on Vicodin and Oxycontin, ultimately ingesting fifty painkillers a day. In addition, he developed a severe gambling addiction, once nearly losing $400,000 at a Las Vegas blackjack table. All this would cost him his family as well as most of the $40 million fortune he’d made in basketball, leaving him to live in his car and shoplift to support his addictions. Only when he was arrested—and his mugshot made national news—did he finally commit to getting clean.

In It’s Hard for Me to Live With Me, Chapman—who has amassed millions of social media followers for his relatable and uplifting posts—tells the story of his addiction and recovery in unflinching detail. With equal frankness, he describes his history with depression; the racism he witnessed growing up and how that shaped his outspokenness on matters of social justice; and his complex and volatile relationship with his father, also a former professional basketball player. Cowritten with New York Times bestselling author Seth Davis, Chapman’s memoir is an equally devastating and inspiring story about the human struggle for self-acceptance.

©2024 Rex Chapman and Seth Davis (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

A Brave and Revealing Memoir

Rex Chapman is a name I have known since his senior year in high-school. Indiana fans knew how good he was. His game was fun to watch. I moved to Owensboro for a few years and the Rex playground stories were still legendary long after his playing days had ceased. I was one of those who loved the "block or charge" tweets and became a follower.

But this story is so much more than a basketball hero tale. Rex has torn the curtain away from his life to show us the scars that didn't come from the surgeon. His experiences with racism, mental health, addiction, and the blatant hypocrisy of basketball stardom is cutting. So many role models let Rex down over the years. The wonder isn't how someone with such talent ended up living in his car, the wonder is how it didn't happen sooner.

Even if you disagree with his politics, you can't listen and not respect his reasoning. Highly recommend

Rex’s story impacted me deeply

I understand much better what a friend faced. I loved watching Rex play but listening to his book was what I needed.

Great Book

As a long time basketball fan and one who enjoys listening to inspiring books, this satisfied me on both counts. Above all I appreciated Rex’ honesty about all the mistakes he had made and his emphasis on his pride in his family, which has more or less stood with him in his dark times. His regret about not speaking out until he had nothing to lose was heart-wrenching to me.

it's hard to live with me

I like the story telling and honesty. he was able to discuss mental health and addiction also told great basketball stories.

Great Read!

This was one of my favorite books I ever read. Rex makes you want to keep going until the end!

Everything stood out.

Only thing I personally dislike was when he chose Kentucky over Louisville being a Louisville fan. This was a great having it read from the author hisself. Great job Rex and especially when you spoke about our Owensboro Red Devils beating your Apollo eagles with Cool Li Stew hitting that last minute shot.

Awesome Book

Rex tells his story with genuineness, pain, and humor. I cried, laughed, and sat in awe of how he overcame his struggles with opioid addiction. Rex was/is worth the price of admission.

Love the honesty

I'm a lifelong Kentucky fan and Kentucky bred. I never knew the obstacles Rex went through throughout his life and I appreciate his honesty and openness to talk about it. I also agree that it's hard being a liberal living in Kentucky and the south in general. I'm a Kentucky transplant living in North Alabama now. Keep speaking up for what's right Rex and I'm proud of you for overcoming your problems and putting forth the effort to change. #BBN

Great. Very well written.

Rex helps all those that struggle with addiction, whatever their demons are.
Thank you for the honest discussion of your life

Hard truths

Once again Rex gives me HOPE that my son who has struggled with opiate addiction can have a good life in the future.