Chris Paul

Christopher Emmanuel Paul Sr. arrived in Winston-Salem on May 6, 1985, and quickly became known as CP3 or the Point God. He spent his high school years dominating before leading Wake Forest University to its first number-one ranking. The 2005 NBA draft saw him selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets, where he finished second in MVP voting just three years later. His career took a dramatic turn when the league voided a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, sending him instead to the Clippers. That move birthed Lob City, a fast-paced era defined by spectacular alley-oops and elite playmaking. Paul led the Rockets to a franchise-record 65 wins in 2017 and guided the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2021. After stints with the Thunder, Warriors, Spurs, and a brief return to the Clippers, he retired in 2025 at age 40. Throughout his journey, he secured two Olympic gold medals, won Rookie of the Year, and earned an All-Star Game MVP award. He also served as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 to 2021 while maintaining major endorsements with Jordan Brand and State Farm.[edit]