Chris Paul

High school

West Forsyth High School

College

Wake Forest University

Pro team(s)

New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs

Christoph Emmanuel Paul was born on May 6, 1985, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and grew up in the nearby Forsyth County community of Lewisville. He attended West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, where he averaged 25 points, 5.3 assists, and 5 rebounds per game as a senior and was named North Carolina's Mr. Basketball. Paul enrolled at Wake Forest University — just miles from his childhood home — and in two seasons established himself as one of the best point guards in college basketball history, earning ACC Rookie of the Year and two All-ACC selections before entering the 2005 NBA Draft. Taken fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets, Paul immediately became one of the league's most complete players: a lockdown defender, a floor general of uncanny vision, and a pick-and-roll operator who made every teammate better. He led the league in assists six times and in steals six times — the only player in NBA history to do so — and was a 12-time NBA All-Star. His combination of intelligence, competitive ferocity, and ball-handling wizardry made him the template for the modern point guard. He played for eight franchises over a 19-year career. Not yet Hall of Fame eligible, his induction is a formality. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.