Octagon Speakers

Chris Paul has quickly become one of the NBA’s rising stars.  Paul was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and quickly adapted to the level of play in the NBA.  He was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month each month, leading him to be named the 2005-2006 NBA Rookie of the Year.  During his sophomore season, Paul proved himself yet again by leading the Hornets in total points, steals and assists.  As the stage has grown, so has Paul's performance.  He led the Hornets to one of the best records in the NBA in 2007-2008 and helped one of the greatest collections of basketball talent reclaim the Gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.  Following a busy 2008, Paul seems to have picked up where he left off by earning his first nod as an NBA All-Star starter.

A Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, Paul has been dedicated to his community long before he became an NBA star.  Paul initiated a philanthropic campaign designed to highlight his dedication to both his grandfather’s spirit and to the Winston-Salem community that nurtured him from his days as a stand-out high school student-athlete to a national star at Wake Forest.  Paul and his family created the CP3 Foundation in partnership with the Winston-Salem Foundation to support charitable causes of great importance to them.  The CP3 Foundation has raised more than $200,000 which has helped establish the Nathaniel Jones Scholarship Fund in memory of Paul’s late grandfather.  Paul has also reached out in Oklahoma City and New Orleans by donating food baskets and bikes for underprivileged children.  In 2006 the NBA acknowledged Paul’s community involvement and service and awarded Paul the NBA’s Community Assist Award.

In 2009, Paul authored an inspirational children's book entitled, "Long Shot:  Never Too Small to Dream Big," which tells the tale of a young Chris Paul wanting to try out for the basketball team but fears he is too small.  The book is dedicated to his grandfather, who he thanks along with the rest of his family for "believing in me, my dreams and the endeavors that life brings my way."