“I don’t go in there and try to be nobody’s coach and nobody’s daddy. First and foremost, I hoop.” said Chris Paul. You’d expect the ‘point god’ to have some attitude after all he has achieved in the NBA and basketball. But he is full of humility. He even accepted a reserve role with the Golden State Warriors, coming off the bench for the first time in 19 years.

And now he has teamed up with Victor Wembanyama at the San Antonio Spurs. When Paul joined the Spurs, he had a bigger mission in mind. After a 22-60 season, the second-worst in the West, Paul struggled to understand what transpired. He told his teammates, “I can’t fathom 22 wins,” highlighting the difference between the past and his vision for the future.

But enough has been said about the sure-shot Hall of Famer and his achievements. Today we’ll be looking at his personal life. Chris was born to Robin Jones and Charles Edward Paul, both of whom are African-American. Growing up, his parents played a pivotal role in shaping him into the person we know today, with their cultural background and experiences influencing much of his journey.

Hailing from Winston, North Carolina, USA, his father played a key role in introducing Chris to basketball and football. He encouraged him to join the local youth league, setting the stage for his future athletic career.

It was onwards and upwards from there for the NBA legend.

Chris Paul’s High School and College Career

In his junior year, Paul averaged 25 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.4 steals per game, leading West Forsyth to the state semifinals. That summer, he led Kappa Magic to the National U-17 title and was named MVP. Chris was the star point guard by the time he was in his senior year. He was also the senior class president.

A tragedy struck when Paul was in his senior year. His grandfather was murdered. So to honor his life, he scored one point for each year his grandfather had lived. Paul scored 61 points and this tribute of his went viral all over America.

By season’s end, Paul averaged 30.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 6.0 steals per game. He led West Forsyth to a 27-3 record and the Class 4A Eastern Regional finals. His performance earned him McDonald’s All-American, first-team Parade All-American, and North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball by The Charlotte Observer.

Nov 14, 2002, was one of the happiest days in the lives of the Paul family. Chris made a major decision when he accepted a full scholarship to Wake Forest University. As a freshman, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. His standout performance helped set new school records for three-point percentage, free throws, free throw percentage, assists, and steals. Thanks to his play, Wake Forest made it to the NCAA tournament, but they suffered an ill-fated elimination in the Sweet Sixteen by St. Joseph’s. At the end of the season, Paul earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was named Third Team All-ACC.

In his sophomore year, Paul helped Wake Forest reach a historic first, holding the number-one spot for two weeks. He scored 26 points and recorded eight assists against North Carolina on January 15, 2005, then added 23 points in a win over Duke on February 3. However, his season soured after punching NC State’s Julius Hodge in the groin, earning a one-game suspension in the ACC Tournament.

Despite the controversy, Wake Forest made it to the NCAA tournament but fell to West Virginia in the second round. By the end of the season, Paul averaged 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. His remarkable play earned him First-Team Consensus All-America honors. His academic success was also notable, as he earned a 3.21 GPA and was named to ESPN’s Academic All-America Team. After the season, on April 15, 2005, Paul announced he would hire an agent and declare for the NBA draft. On March 2, 2013, Wake Forest retired his jersey, and in 2021, they inducted him into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame.

How is Chris Paul helping his community across America?

Off the court, Chris Paul has made a significant impact through his Chris Paul Family Foundation, which he started in 2005 in honor of his late grandfather, Nathaniel Jones. The foundation supports young people in the various communities where Paul has lived over the years. Just like his leadership on the basketball court, Paul has taken a holistic approach to improving these communities, uplifting them in multiple ways.

Paul’s foundation aims to create lasting change nationwide, empowering Black youth with trust, mentorship, and opportunities. One of its key initiatives, Club 61, brings about 50 kids from cities where Paul has played to Los Angeles. There, they engage in a week-long leadership program that covers areas like business, finance, community building, and academics. Besides learning, the kids also get a chance to network and bond.

The youth in Club 61 come from organizations Paul still supports, even after leaving those cities. These include Brotherhood Crusade in LA, the Boys and Girls Club in Winston-Salem, Project Alpha in Phoenix, and the Robert Pack Foundation in New Orleans. Through Club 61, Paul aims to honor his grandfather’s legacy and share his life lessons, as Carmen Wilson, the foundation’s COO, explained.

Nathaniel Jones, Chris’ grandfather, made history by opening the first African-American-owned service station in North Carolina. Growing up, Paul and his brother, CJ, worked there, learning valuable life skills that shaped their leadership paths, which was visible in how CP3 elevated teams.

In honor of his grandfather, Paul established a scholarship at Wake Forest University, Wilson shared. Each year, two students from West Forsyth County, Paul’s hometown, receive the scholarship. It provides talented students in both academics and athletics the chance to attend Wake Forest.

“I’m extremely proud of the work our Foundation has accomplished over the years. The impact we’ve been able to have over the course of my career is meaningful to me and my family,” Chris said.

Paul’s impact on Black youth continues to grow through his Foundation’s programs, HBCU support, and initiatives like Club 61. With help from nonprofit organizations nationwide, he’s creating lasting change. It’s clear that his work is strengthening the future of these young people.