The legend of Chris Paul began with a unique tribute to his grandfather
It’s one of those beautiful but tragic stories that shape the legends of American sports. A story about family, promise and grief, which became one of the foundational stories of his career Chris Paul. Even to the extent that Disney decided to make a feature film, adapted by work co-authored by Chris Paul.
On November 14, 2002, the young leader, then a senior at West Forsyth (North Carolina) High School, officially announced his commitment to Wake Forest, the former college Tim Duncan and Muggsy Bogues. For him and his entire family, it is the culmination of a dream. Chris Paul was never considered a future NBA prospect. Too small, too fragile, they said. But his playing intelligence, his leadership and his determination won everyone over in the end.
“A lot of people said I was too young to play at that level. But my family never stopped believing that.”he confided later. The joy, however, lasts only for a moment.
The day after his enlistment, his grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, whom he affectionately called “Papa Chilli,” was found dead near his home. At the age of 61, he was attacked and left for dead over a simple wallet, succumbing to a heart attack. An absurd, brutal crime that disturbs the entire community.
Pledge: enter one point for each year of your grandfather’s life
Chris Paul was extremely close to him. His grandfather took him to training, accompanied him to games, and talked to him about basketball for hours. “He was my best friend”dira-t-il “He was at all my games. Everything.”
Devastated, the young leader still decides to play the next game with his high school. But he makes an intimate, silent decision. He wants to reach 61 points, one point for each year of his grandfather’s life. Not telling anyone.
His personal best at that time was 39 points. The goal seems unrealistic. But that night something was different and in an almost mystical atmosphere he scored 24 points in the second quarter alone.
“The whole match I was thinking about my grandfather” will say CP3. “I knew he was looking at me. As soon as the player touched me, I could almost feel my grandfather get up and get angry.”
As the total climbs, his teammates realize something is up. The public too. But no one really knows the goal he has set for himself. With a mistake, he finally reached 61 points on the basket. The room explodes. He has another free throw to shoot.
And that’s where the scene becomes legendary.
Chris Paul intentionally misses a free throw
In order not to exceed the symbolic number, Chris Paul intentionally misses his free throw. The ball hits the hoop. The coach takes him out immediately. His teammates surround him. Emotion overwhelms him. He looks around for his father, meets his gaze… and breaks down in tears. “I didn’t want to score more than 61”he will explain. “This match was for him.
That night, Chris Paul not only signed an outstanding statistical performance. He laid the first stone of his legend. In Wake Forest, then in the NBA, whether with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, or the Clippers, he will always retain this emotional dimension, this early maturity shaped by trial. Gregg Popovich liked to compare him to a kid whose toys were stolenbut above all he was a teenager whose grandfather was killed.
Years laterthe young pensioner will nevertheless evoke his grandfather as a permanent inner strength: “Everything I do on the field, I also do for him.” The legend of Chris Paul did not begin with a college trophy or an NBA record, but with the most beautiful recognition, the day after the death of his grandfather.
2026-02-14 16:50:00
