Chris Paul, nicknamed "CP3" and "the Point God", is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. Considered one of the greatest point guards ever, he has received numerous accolades including the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an NBA All-Star Game MVP, two Olympic gold medals, and has led the NBA in assists and steals multiple times. He has been selected to multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. Paul also served as president of the National Basketball Players Association and has lucrative endorsement deals with major brands.
May 6, 1985: Chris Paul is Born
On May 6, 1985, Christopher Emmanuel Paul, known as 'CP3' and 'the Point God,' was born.
1993: First Suns Finals Appearance Since 1993
The Phoenix Suns' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 Western Conference Finals marked their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1993.
2004: Played Against Brother C.J. in Exhibition Game
In 2004, Chris Paul played against his brother, C.J., who was a college basketball player at USC Upstate, during a preseason exhibition game between Wake Forest and USC Upstate.
January 15, 2005: Chris Paul Leads Wake Forest to Victory over Rival North Carolina
On January 15, 2005, Chris Paul showcased his talent and leadership by scoring 26 points and dishing out eight assists in a crucial victory over their rivals, North Carolina, solidifying Wake Forest's standing as a top contender in college basketball.
April 15, 2005: Chris Paul Declares for the NBA Draft
On April 15, 2005, Chris Paul made the pivotal decision to declare for the NBA draft, marking the beginning of his professional basketball journey.
2005: Chris Paul Wins NBA Rookie of the Year
In 2005, Chris Paul made a significant impact in his debut NBA season, earning the prestigious NBA Rookie of the Year award, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential as a rising star.
2005: Chris Paul is Drafted by the New Orleans Hornets
In 2005, Chris Paul's NBA journey began when he was selected as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets.
2006: FIBA World Championship Debut
Chris Paul debuted for the United States national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, leading the tournament in assists and helping the team to a bronze medal.
2007: Chris Paul Sets New Rookie Challenge Records
During the 2007 All-Star Weekend, Chris Paul further solidified his reputation as an emerging star by setting new records in the Rookie Challenge with 17 assists and nine steals, demonstrating his exceptional playmaking abilities and defensive prowess.
2007: Chris Paul Selected to his First NBA All-Star Game; Hornets Achieve Franchise Record 56 Wins
In 2007, Chris Paul's stellar performances earned him his first selection to the NBA All-Star Game, playing in front of his home crowd in New Orleans. Under his leadership, the Hornets achieved a franchise record of 56 wins, securing the second seed in the Western Conference.
December 17, 2008: Chris Paul Sets NBA Record for Consecutive Games with a Steal
On December 17, 2008, Chris Paul etched his name in the NBA record books by achieving the record for consecutive games with a steal at 106, highlighting his exceptional defensive skills and consistency.
2008: Olympic Gold Medal
Chris Paul played a significant role in helping Team USA win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, scoring 13 points in the final game against Spain and contributing to the team's perfect 8-0 record.
2008: Chris Paul Finishes Second in NBA MVP Voting
Chris Paul's exceptional talent was on full display in 2008 when he emerged as one of the league's best players, culminating in a second-place finish in the NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting.
2008: Shared Christian Faith
In 2008, Chris Paul stated that he is a Christian and regularly attends church on Sundays.
2008: First Time Missing All-NBA Team Since 2008
In 2016, Chris Paul did not make an All-NBA team for the first time since the 2008 season. This was also his first time not making an All-NBA team in his six years with the Clippers.
January 26, 2009: Chris Paul Nearly Achieves a Quadruple-Double
On January 26, 2009, Chris Paul came agonizingly close to achieving a rare quadruple-double, recording 27 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, and seven steals against the Philadelphia 76ers, showcasing his all-around dominance and impact on the game.
2009: Chris Paul Publicly Expresses Displeasure with Hornets' Firing of Coach Byron Scott
In 2009, Chris Paul sparked controversy by publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with the Hornets' decision to fire coach Byron Scott without consulting him. His outspokenness highlighted his leadership role and desire for involvement in team decisions.
February 2010: Chris Paul Tears Cartilage in Left Knee
In February 2010, Chris Paul's season was disrupted by a significant knee injury, tearing cartilage in his left knee. The injury required surgery and sidelined him for over a month, forcing him to miss the All-Star Game and impacting the Hornets' performance.
2010: First Suns Duo All-Star Selection Since Nash and Stoudemire
Chris Paul and Devin Booker's All-Star selections in 2021 marked the first time since Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire in 2010 that two Phoenix Suns players were named All-Stars in the same year.
2010: Chris Paul Suffers Concussion; Hornets Eliminated from Playoffs by Los Angeles Lakers
In 2010, Chris Paul faced another setback with a concussion suffered in a collision with Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions. Despite his return and impressive performances, the Hornets were eliminated from the playoffs by the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers. The series highlighted Paul's exceptional skills but also the team's vulnerability.
2010: First Western Conference Finals Appearance Since 2010
The Suns' victory over the Denver Nuggets in the 2021 Conference Semifinals marked their first appearance in the Western Conference Finals since 2010.
September 10, 2011: Married Jada Crawley
Chris Paul married his college sweetheart, Jada Crawley, on September 10, 2011.
December 8, 2011: Trade to the Lakers Nullified
On December 8, 2011, a three-team trade sending Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was nullified by the NBA, which owned the Hornets at the time. Commissioner David Stern argued that New Orleans would be better off keeping Paul.
2011: Controversial Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers Voided; Chris Paul Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
The 2011 offseason saw a controversial turn of events for Chris Paul. A planned trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was voided by the NBA, sparking debate and scrutiny. Ultimately, Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, marking a new chapter in his career.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal as Starting Point Guard
In 2012, Chris Paul was the starting point guard for Team USA at the London Olympics, averaging 8.2 points and 5.1 assists per game as the team secured another gold medal and remained undefeated throughout the tournament.
March 2, 2013: Chris Paul's Jersey Retired by Wake Forest
On March 2, 2013, Wake Forest University honored Chris Paul by retiring his jersey, a testament to his outstanding college basketball career with the Demon Deacons.
August 21, 2013: Became NBPA President
On August 21, 2013, Chris Paul was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) after serving on the executive committee for four years.
2013: Re-signs with the Clippers, Shoulder Injury, and Playoff Loss
Chris Paul re-signed with the Clippers for five years and approximately $107 million in 2013. Despite missing time due to a shoulder injury, he helped the team to another franchise record of 57 wins. However, the Clippers lost to Oklahoma City in the second round of the playoffs.
2013: All-Star Game MVP and Franchise Record
In 2013, Chris Paul led the Western Conference to victory in the All-Star game with 20 points and 15 assists, earning his first All-Star Game MVP award. He helped the Clippers achieve a franchise-record 56 wins that season.
2013: Chris Paul's Jersey Retired by Wake Forest
On March 2, 2013, Wake Forest University honored Chris Paul by retiring his jersey, a testament to his outstanding college basketball career with the Demon Deacons.
2014: First Full Season, Game-Winning Shot, and Another Playoff Loss
In 2014, Chris Paul played in all 82 games for the first time in his career. Despite a hamstring injury, he hit a game-winning shot in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs to defeat the Spurs. However, the Clippers lost to the Rockets in the next round, extending Paul's streak without a Conference Finals appearance.
2014: Key Role in Donald Sterling Ban
In 2014, Chris Paul took a leading role in urging the NBA to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for making racist remarks. He even suggested a potential player boycott if Sterling continued as owner.
2015: Ten-Game Winning Streak and Playoff Injury
In 2015, Chris Paul led the Clippers on a 10-game winning streak despite his teammates, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, being injured at different points during the streak. During the playoffs, Paul broke his hand in Game 4 of the first round against the Trail Blazers, and the Clippers lost the series.
2016: Missed Games and First Round Exit
In 2016, Chris Paul missed 21 games due to rest and injury and did not receive an All-NBA honor for just the second time since 2008. The Clippers were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
2016: Last All-Star Selection Before 2019
Prior to his selection in 2019, Chris Paul's last All-Star appearance was in 2016.
June 28, 2017: Traded to the Houston Rockets
On June 28, 2017, Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets after the Clippers declined to offer him a contract extension. Paul opted into the final year of his contract to facilitate the trade and was interested in playing alongside James Harden.
2017: Rockets Debut, Knee Injury, and Franchise Record 65 Wins
In 2017, Chris Paul debuted for the Rockets and initially played through a knee injury. After recovering, he helped Houston achieve a franchise-record 65 wins and the best record in the NBA.
2017: Chris Paul Traded to the Houston Rockets
In 2017, Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, joining forces with James Harden in a move that aimed to propel the team to championship contention.
January 26, 2018: Season-High 38 Points
On January 26, 2018, Chris Paul scored a season-high 38 points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
2018: Purchased Ownership Stake in Winston-Salem Dash
Chris Paul invested in his hometown by purchasing a minority stake in the Winston-Salem Dash, a minor league baseball team, in 2018.
2018: Contract Extension, Altercation, Hamstring Injury, and Playoff Loss
Chris Paul signed a four-year contract extension with the Rockets in 2018, but was suspended for two games due to an on-court altercation. He also missed 17 games due to a hamstring injury. Despite recording 23 points and 17 assists in a win over the Warriors that season, the Rockets lost to Golden State in the Conference Semifinals.
July 16, 2019: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
On July 16, 2019, Chris Paul was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook. The trade also involved two protected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps. This move marked a significant shift for Paul, who went from a championship-contending team to a young, rebuilding squad.
2019: Became Vegan and Beyond Meat Ambassador
Chris Paul embraced a vegan lifestyle in 2019 and became a brand ambassador for Beyond Meat, promoting plant-based food options.
2019: Chris Paul Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder
In 2019, Chris Paul was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook, signaling a shift in the league's landscape.
November 16, 2020: Traded to Phoenix Suns
On November 16, 2020, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns. In exchange, the Thunder received Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a protected 2022 first-round pick.
2020: Chris Paul Traded to the Phoenix Suns
In 2020, Chris Paul's journey took him to the Phoenix Suns, where he was traded with the aim of revitalizing the franchise and leading them back to prominence.
February 1, 2021: Season-High 34 Points Against Mavericks
Chris Paul achieved a season-high of 34 points on February 1, 2021, during a closely contested game against the Dallas Mavericks, which the Suns won 109-108. In addition to his scoring outburst, Paul also contributed nine rebounds and nine assists.
August 7, 2021: Four-Year Contract Extension with Suns
On August 7, 2021, Chris Paul signed a four-year contract extension with the Phoenix Suns, a deal worth up to $120 million. This extension solidified Paul's commitment to the team and provided financial security for the remainder of his career.
2021: Chris Paul Reaches the NBA Finals for the First Time
In 2021, Chris Paul achieved a significant milestone by reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in his career, leading the Phoenix Suns on a remarkable playoff run.
2021: Chris Paul Inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
In 2021, Chris Paul achieved two milestones: he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, a testament to his legacy as one of the greatest point guards of all time, and was also inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, solidifying his place as a legend in his alma mater's history.
2021: Chris Paul Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and Inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
In 2021, Chris Paul achieved two milestones: he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, a testament to his legacy as one of the greatest point guards of all time, and was also inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, solidifying his place as a legend in his alma mater's history.
January 24, 2022: Near Triple-Double Against Jazz
On January 24, 2022, Chris Paul nearly achieved a triple-double in a game against the Utah Jazz. He scored 27 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out 14 assists, showcasing his all-around skills in a 115-109 Suns victory.
October 23, 2022: Achieved 11,000 Assists
Chris Paul achieved a significant milestone on October 23, 2022, by recording his 11,000th career assist in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This achievement placed him among NBA legends John Stockton and Jason Kidd as the only players to reach this milestone.
December 2022: Graduated from Winston-Salem State University
In December 2022, Chris Paul graduated from Winston-Salem State University, earning a bachelor's degree in communications.
2022: First Round Pick Traded to Oklahoma City
As part of the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns in 2020, the Oklahoma City Thunder received a protected first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
2022: Named a Reserve for 2022 NBA All-Star Game
In 2022, Chris Paul was selected as a reserve player for the NBA All-Star Game. This recognition solidified his status as one of the league's elite guards, showcasing his exceptional skills and contributions to the Phoenix Suns.
January 22, 2023: Returned from Hip Injury
On January 22, 2023, Chris Paul made his return to the basketball court after being sidelined for seven games due to a hip injury. In his return game, Paul led the Phoenix Suns to a 112-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, contributing 22 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and three steals.
June 2023: Published Memoir 'Sixty One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court'
In June 2023, Chris Paul released his memoir, titled "Sixty One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court," sharing personal stories about his upbringing, family, and basketball journey.
June 24, 2023: Traded to Washington Wizards
On June 24, 2023, Chris Paul was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards in a deal that included Landry Shamet, draft picks, and pick swaps for Bradley Beal, Jordan Goodwin, and Isaiah Todd.
January 5, 2024: Fractured Hand
On January 5, 2024, Chris Paul suffered a left hand fracture in a game against the Pistons, requiring surgery. Though a setback, he was expected to return later in the season.