History of Chris Paul in Timeline
Christopher Emmanuel Paul, known as CP3, is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs. Celebrated as one of the greatest point guards ever, his achievements include NBA Rookie of the Year, an All-Star Game MVP, and two Olympic gold medals. He has led the NBA in assists five times and steals a record six times. Paul's accolades include 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA teams, and nine All-Defensive teams. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He served as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 to 2021. He is also one of the highest-paid athletes globally, endorsing brands like Jordan and State Farm.
May 6, 1985: Chris Paul's Birth
On May 6, 1985, Christopher Emmanuel Paul, later known as "CP3" and "the Point God", was born. He would become a professional basketball player in the NBA.
2004: Played against his brother
In 2004, Chris Paul played against his brother, C.J., when Wake Forest had a preseason exhibition game with USC Upstate.
January 15, 2005: Victory Over North Carolina
On January 15, 2005, Chris Paul scored 26 points and had eight assists in a victory over rival North Carolina while playing for Wake Forest.
April 15, 2005: Decision to Turn Professional
On April 15, 2005, Chris Paul announced that he would hire an agent and turn professional, leaving Wake Forest University.
2005: NBA Rookie of the Year Award
In 2005, Chris Paul was named NBA Rookie of the Year, capping off a stellar debut season with the New Orleans Hornets.
2005: NBA Draft and Hornets Debut
In 2005, Chris Paul was selected as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, marking the start of his professional career.
2007: Rookie Challenge Records
During the 2007 All-Star Weekend, Chris Paul set new Rookie Challenge records with 17 assists and 9 steals, showcasing his exceptional skills.
2007: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
In 2007, Chris Paul was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game, playing in front of his home fans in New Orleans.
December 17, 2008: NBA Record for Consecutive Games with a Steal
On December 17, 2008, Chris Paul set the NBA record for consecutive games with a steal at 106, demonstrating his defensive prowess.
2008: Runner-Up for MVP Award
In 2008, Chris Paul finished second in NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting, highlighting his outstanding performance with the New Orleans Hornets.
2008: Publicly Discusses Christianity
In 2008, Chris Paul revealed in an interview that he is a Christian and attends church every Sunday when possible.
2008: Last Missed All-NBA Honor
The 2016-17 NBA season marked the first time since 2008 that Chris Paul failed to make an All-NBA team.
January 26, 2009: Near Quadruple-Double Performance
On January 26, 2009, Chris Paul nearly recorded a quadruple-double against the Philadelphia 76ers, with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, and 7 steals.
2009: Hornets Fired Coach Byron Scott
During the 2009-10 season, after a slow start, the Hornets fired coach Byron Scott which stirred up controversy.
February 2010: Knee Injury and All-Star Game Absence
In February 2010, Chris Paul tore cartilage in his left knee and was sidelined for over a month, forcing him to miss the All-Star Game.
2010: Concussion Injury
In 2010, Chris Paul suffered a concussion after colliding with Ramon Sessions, sidelining him temporarily.
September 10, 2011: Marriage to Jada Crawley
On September 10, 2011, Chris Paul married his college sweetheart, Jada Crawley.
November 11, 2011: Family Feud Appearance
On November 11, 2011, Chris Paul appeared with his family on Family Feud.
December 8, 2011: Lakers Trade Voided
On December 8, 2011, a trade sending Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was nullified by the NBA.
2011: Trade to Clippers After Lakers Deal Veto
In 2011, after a controversially voided trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
2012: Trade to Los Angeles Clippers Completed
In December 2011, the trade sending Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers was completed after initial setbacks, marking a new phase in his career starting in 2012.
March 2, 2013: Wake Forest Jersey Retirement
On March 2, 2013, Wake Forest University retired Chris Paul's jersey, honoring his contributions to the school's basketball program.
August 21, 2013: Paul Elected NBPA President
On August 21, 2013, Chris Paul was selected as the president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), after serving on the executive committee for four years.
2013: President of the National Basketball Players Association
In 2013, Chris Paul became the president of the National Basketball Players Association, a position he held until 2021.
2013: NBA All-Star Game MVP Award
In 2013, Chris Paul earned his first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award with a 20-point and 15-assist performance.
2013: Re-signing with the Clippers
Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, Chris Paul re-signed with the Clippers for five years.
2014: Key Role in Banning Donald Sterling
In 2014, Chris Paul played a key role in the NBA's decision to ban Clippers owner Donald Sterling following Sterling's racist remarks. Paul even suggested a possible boycott if Sterling continued to own the team in 2014.
2014: First Time Playing All 82 Games
In 2014-15, Chris Paul played in all 82 games for the first time in his career, averaging 19.1 points and a league-high 10.2 assists per game.
2015: Led Clippers on Ten-Game Winning Streak
In January of the 2015-16 season, Chris Paul led the Clippers on a ten-game winning streak despite missing key players due to injury.
2016: Missed All-NBA Honor
At the end of the 2016-17 season, Chris Paul was not rewarded with an All-NBA honor, marking just the second time he failed to make an All-NBA team since 2008.
June 28, 2017: Trade to Houston Rockets
On June 28, 2017, Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, teaming up with James Harden.
2017: Trade to Houston Rockets
In 2017, Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he helped the team achieve a franchise-record 65 wins in his first season.
July 8, 2018: Signed contract extension with Rockets
On July 8, 2018, Chris Paul signed a four-year, $160 million maximum contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
2018: Purchased stake in Winston-Salem Dash
In 2018, Chris Paul purchased a minority ownership stake in the Winston-Salem Dash, a minor league baseball team in his hometown.
July 16, 2019: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
On July 16, 2019, Chris Paul was traded by the Houston Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with draft picks and swaps in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
2019: Became a Vegan
In 2019, Chris Paul transitioned to a vegan diet and became a brand ambassador for Beyond Meat.
2019: Trade to Oklahoma City Thunder
In 2019, Chris Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a package for Russell Westbrook.
November 16, 2020: Traded to Phoenix Suns
On November 16, 2020, Chris Paul was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Phoenix Suns.
2020: Trade to Phoenix Suns
In 2020, Chris Paul was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in 2021.
February 1, 2021: Season-high 34 points
On February 1, 2021, Chris Paul scored a season-high 34 points in a 109-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
August 7, 2021: Signed contract extension with Suns
On August 7, 2021, Chris Paul signed a four-year contract extension with the Phoenix Suns.
2021: NBA Finals Appearance
In 2021, Chris Paul reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns.
2021: Induction into Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
In 2021, Chris Paul was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, further solidifying his legacy at the university.
2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection
In 2021, Chris Paul was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
January 24, 2022: 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 14 assists against the Jazz
On January 24, 2022, Chris Paul scored 27 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out 14 assists in a 115-109 win against the Utah Jazz.
October 23, 2022: Joins legends with 11,000 assists
On October 23, 2022, Chris Paul recorded 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists in a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. He joined John Stockton and Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history with 11,000 assists and became the first player with 20,000 points and 11,000 assists.
December 2022: Graduation from Winston-Salem State University
In December 2022, Chris Paul graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor's degree in communications.
January 22, 2023: Returns from injury
On January 22, 2023, Chris Paul returned to the lineup after missing the previous seven games with a hip injury, scoring 22 points and 11 assists.
June 2023: Publication of Memoir
In June 2023, Chris Paul published a memoir titled "Sixty One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court."
June 24, 2023: Traded to Washington Wizards
On June 24, 2023, Chris Paul was traded to the Washington Wizards by the Suns.
January 5, 2024: Fractured left hand
On January 5, 2024, Chris Paul fractured his left hand in a game against the Detroit Pistons and required surgery.
June 30, 2024: Waived and became a free agent
On June 30, 2024, Chris Paul was waived and became a free agent.
July 7, 2024: Signed with San Antonio Spurs
On July 7, 2024, Chris Paul signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
2024: Signing with the San Antonio Spurs
In 2024, Chris Paul signed with the San Antonio Spurs, marking another chapter in his NBA career.
