By:  Erica Oates, Contributing Writer

Chris Paul may be one of the most well-known alumni in Wake Forest history, due to his extremely successful career after leaving the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.  When he received a scholarship to Wake to play basketball, Chris Paul began as a starter on the team in 2003.  He spent two full years playing for the Deacs, bringing us to two NCAA tournaments and one Sweet Sixteen appearance.  After his sophomore year, he was drafted fourth overall in the first round of the NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets.  He has since been a four-time NBA All-Star, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006, and even won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Calling Winston-Salem his hometown, Chris Paul is still active in philanthropy locally off the court as well.  He has established an AAU basketball program in Winston-Salem, called the “CP3 All-Stars,” fondly named after his own nickname, as well as made efforts to rebuild and refurbish basketball courts in the less fortunate areas of the city.  The annual “Chris Paul’s Winston-Salem Weekend,” has been extremely successful in raising over $300,000 over the past three years to benefit charities in the Winston-Salem community.  He also takes part in various projects in the New Orleans area to support those communities in which he resides now.

Paul is also required to be involved in the NBA Cares program, which has thrived substantially given the current NBA lockout predicament.  NBA Cares Community Caravan is a philanthropic organization designed to help underprivileged communities by promoting education, hands-on service, and social responsibility. Teams travel and host basketball camps as well as visit schools to encourage health and exercise in those communities.  The New Orleans Hornets are currently hosting basketball and dance clinics, and also participating in the American Heart Association Walk during the month of November.

Chris Paul can be seen as an inspiration to the Wake Forest community: the epitome of success, philanthropy, and individuality—true Pro Humanitate at work.  He is a dominating force on the basketball court, a strong community involvement figure in our Winston-Salem area, and even an avid bowler, toting around his own ball and serving as a national spokesperson for the United States Bowling Congress.