Chris PaulEverybody Loves Chris... Paul possesses an engaging personality and warm smile that appeals to a large cross-section of the population Winner of the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete. Featured in two ESPN "This is Sports Center" commercials. He appeared on the cover of ESPN The Magazine and was featured in Sports Illustrated under the title "Everybody Loves Chris." Named one of People's "100 Most Beautiful." Profiled by Men's Health, Associated Press, Daily Oklahoman, New York Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune, and ESPN.com. Named a spokesperson for the United States Bowling Congress.

Hometown Hero...  The CP3 Foundation, through a partnership with The Winston-Salem Foundation, serves as the focal point of Paul's hometown community activities "Chris Paul's Winston-Salem Weekend," the Foundation's signature fundraising event, raised $156,000 in 2006 for the Nathaniel Jones Scholarship Fund that will award a Forsyth County student a scholarship to attend Wake Forest University in honor of Paul's late grandfather. The CP3 Foundation has chosen Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County as the primary beneficiary for the 2007 event Paul has also help refurbish several basketball courts across the country as part of the Toyota's "Tundra Turnaround." In 2005, Paul hosted the Nathaniel Jones Court Dedication at which the basketball courts at Rupert Bell Recreation Center were completely refurbished. Additionally, he has led several philanthropic projects including the Hornets' "Reach to Achieve" program, purchased turkeys for distribution over Thanksgiving and purchased bicycles for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

61 Points for 61 Years &The day after Paul signed his letter of intent to play for Wake Forest, his 61- year-old grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, was tragically murdered while being robbed by five teenagers. West Forsyth High's season opener was the day after his grandfather's funeral and Paul told his coach he was going to do something "very special" to honor his grandfather. Late in the game and with 59 points to his name, he drove to the hoop and was fouled while making the basket pushing his point total to 61. He purposely missed the free throw, then proceeded to walk off the court, collapsing on the bench in tears. The 61 points signified one point for each year his grandfather had lived.

"He is as good as we've had come into this league in a long, long time."-Former NBA coach Larry Brown

Career Highlights...

  • Helped lead the US Men's basketball team to a bronze medal at the 2006 World
  • Championships in Japan2005-06 NBA Rookie of the Year, earning 124 of the 125 first-place votes
  • Winner of the NBA's Community Assist Award (September 2006) for hischaritable initiatives Named
  • Western Conference Rookie of the Month each month during the 2005-06 season after leading all rookies in points (16.1), assists (7.8), steals (2.2), triple-doubles (2) and minutes played (36.4)
  • Competed in the Rookie Challenge and Skills Competition at the 2006 NBA All-Star Weekend
  • Selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA Draft
  • Two-time All-American at Wake Forest University
  • Academic All-American
  • Named 2004 ACC Rookie of the Year
  • Unanimous ACC All-Rookie Team selection
  • Owns the all-time ACC record for freshman season steals with 84