Chris Paul is just too good to be true. Polite, humble, altruistic and supremely gifted by the basketball gods, Chris made headlines first as an inspirational high-school star, then as the college game's model student-athlete, and finally as an NBA superstar. He wears the game on his face—joyous after a Hornet bucket, pained when his team is playing flat. Chris reminds some of Magic Johnson in this respect. Indeed, beneath his squeaky-clean good-guy exterior beats a heart that's half cat burglar and half lion. Fans in New Orleans, meanwhile, hope Chris is all champion. This is his story…

GROWING UP

Chris Emmanuel Paul was born on May 6, 1985 in Lewisville, North Carolina. (Click here for today's sports birthdays.) His parents, Charles and Robin, had welcomed an older brother, C.J., a few years earlier. The Pauls were as tight a family as you could find.

They were also huge sports fans—Charles being a diehard Dallas Cowboys supporter. But Chris likely inherited his athletic ability from Robin’s side of the family, including her father, Nathaniel Jones.

The man known as “Papa Chilly” lived a short ride away in Winston-Salem. He was the founder and owner of Jones Chevron, the first service station in North Carolina operated by an African-American. Jones was a legend in the area. Everyone knew him, liked him and respected him.

No one had a stronger bond to Papa Chilly than Chris. He loved working side-by-side with his grandfather, helping change oil filters and washing windshields of patrons who stopped for a fill-up. Chris considered Papa Chilly his best friend. He talked about everything with him.

Chris also shared a close relationship with his brother—too close at times for C.J.’s liking. Little brother followed big brother everywhere he went. C.J. and his friends often viewed Chris as a pest. Plain and simple, he never knew when to shut up.

Chris learned a lot about love, discipline and basketball from his parents. Charles and Robin took active roles in the lives of both of their sons. Chris and C.J. were encouraged—and expected—to pay attention in school, study hard and get good grades. Foul language wasn't tolerated, and video games were allowed only on weekends. The boys were aware of what awaited them if they stepped out of line: a wooden paddle that read “Board of Corrections” on one side and “Victim Sign Here” on the other.

When Chris was three, Charles bought a pair of Fisher-Price baskets and set up a court with red tape in the basement. He then watched his sons go at it. Growing up in the shadow of Wake Forest, Chris was a big fan of the ACC (and Michael Jordan, of course). Rooting for the Demon Deacons was a no-brainer, particularly after Tim Duncan arrived at Wake in 1993.

During his childhood, however, football was the sport that earned Chris the most attention. Though he lacked size, the youngster was fast, smart and a charismatic leader. He lined up at quarterback, running back and linebacker, and his coaches never took him off the field. Charles rarely missed a game—and rarely ws able to keep his focus solely on the gridirion. When he learned that one of Chris’s football coaches laid cement, he asked him to build a hoops court for his sons on a nearby hill.

When Chris was ready for his freshman year at West Forsyth High School, he had no illusions of making the varsity basketball squad. C.J. was the team’s best player, while Chris logged his first two seasons on the JV. Still standing a good four inches below six feet, the teen simply couldn’t match up physically with taller, stronger opponents.

Chris’s game began to blossom in his junior year, after C.J. headed to Hampton University on a hoops scholarship. The teen grew some four inches to nearly six feet, without losing a step of speed or quickness. He led West Forsyth to a 26-4 record and the semifinals of the state 4-A championship. Along the way, he averaged 25 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals. Those numbers, plus his easy smile and disarming personality, helped him claims honors as Central Piedmont Player of the Year.

ON THE RISE

It wasn’t long before the college coaches came knocking. Chris was recruited by every ACC program, including North Carolina. But his mind had long been set on Wake Forest. He made an oral commitment to the school as a junior, and then showed up so often on campus to work out that it seemed like he had already joined the team. In November of 2002, in what was mere formality, Chris signed a letter of intent to the Demon Deacons. Papa Chilly beamed with pride. After the ceremony, he placed a Wake hat on his grandson’s head.

Within 24 hours, however, Chris’s life was turned upside-down when 61-year-old Papa Chilly was robbed and murdered by a gang of teenagers. Chris and his family were shattered. Nearly 2,000 people attended the funeral. Chris was in a daze, but a suggestion from an aunt stuck in his head. West Forsyth’s next game was against Parkland High, and to honor his grandfather's memory he was determined to get 61 points.

Chris poured in 32 in the first half. With less than three minutes to go, his total stood at 59. Chris drove the lane, got hacked and flipped up a layup that rolled in. After intentionally shooting an airball from the foul line, he came out of the game and collapsed in his father’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Though West Forsyth came up short in its bid for the 4-A state title, Chris was unquestionably North Carolina’s top high schooler. He ended the season with phenomenal stats, including 30.8 ppg, 8 apg, 6 spg and 5 rpg. A Parade All-American, he was named to USA Today's All-USA high school second team. AP voted him the North Carolina High School Player of the Year, and the Charlotte Observer recognized him as North Carolina's Mr. Basketball.

Chris did little but play hoops the summer after his senior year. Selected for the East squad in the McDonald's All-America Game, he dished out 10 assists and was awarded the contest's sportsmanship award. Chris also took part in the USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival and was a member of the silver team in the Jordan Brand Capitol Classic All-Star game

Perhaps Chris distinguished himself most at the 19-and-under AAU boys state tournament in Greensboro. Running the point for the North Carolina Gaters, he led a 116-70 rout of the Charlotte Royals in the championship tilt. While he scored a game-high 24 points, it was his floor leadership and passing ability that drew the biggest raves.

Chris headed to Wake for the 2003-04 season already a star—and his teammates couldn't have been happier to welcome him to Winston-Salem. Coach Skip Prosser felt the same way. In the midst of a rebuilding effort, he viewed his freshman point guard as the key to his plans. Chris fit perfectly in the backcourt with long-range bomber Justin Gray, while newcomer Eric Williams provided muscle upfront.

Chris’s first real test at the collegiate level came against Indiana in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. He passed with flying colors, posting 20 points and eight assists in an 100-67 victory. Hoosiers coach Mike Davis called the frosh the best point guard his team had ever faced.

Chris and Gray developed into a dynamite guard tandem. With Chris’s ability to break down opponents and Gray’s unlimited range from the perimeter, they complimented each other perfectly. The duo was clicking on all cylinders when Wake began its ACC schedule. Against UNC, Chris shook off early jitters to spearhead a 119-114 triple-OT win. Against Duke, he pumped in 19 in the second half to fuel an upset victory. He also torched Maryland for 30.

Chris, who was named ACC rookie of the year, wound up averaging 14.8 points and 5.9 assists. He topped the team in assists (183), steals (84), three-point field goal percentage (.465), free throws (150), free throw attempts (178) and free throw percentage (.843). He was also voted to the All-ACC defensive team. College Insider, The Sporting News, Basketball Times and Dick Vitale all rated him as the nation’s best frosh.

Chris shifted into another gear once March Madness began. In the team’s first two games, narrow victories over Virginia Commwealth and Manhattan, he pumped in 51 points. In the win over the Jaspers, he added eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. His sparkling performance set up one of the tournament’s more intriguing matchups, as the Demon Deacons prepared for Jameer Nelson and St. Joe’s.

The game lived up to its billing. Unfortunately, Wake finished on the wrong end of an 84-80 final. Nelson was spectacular with 24 points. Chris, by contrast, struggled in the first half. But he bounced back after intermission, and his play kept the Deacons in the contest.

Still, Chris was disappointed in his performance. Nelson had shown himself ready for the NBA. Chris had work to do. The day after the loss, he called Prosser, told his coach how sorry he was for the the Wake loss, thanked him for the opportunity with the Deacs, and promised to improve. Chris was good to word. During that summer, he helped the U.S. junior national team to an international title in Canada. Despite a shooting slump that lasted most of the tourney, he kept his head clear and gave the Americans excellent decision-making and defense at the point. In a win over Brazil, he posted a record 13 assists.

For many college sophomores, the hype that Chris faced entering his second season at Wake would have been overwhelming. He maintained a level head, offering a calming presence to a team saddled with lofty expectations. In addition to Chris, Prosser welcomed back Gray and Roberts. With Taron Downey providing a veteran spark off the bench and high-jumping Jamal Levy in the starting lineup, the Demon Deacons featured a talented squad.

Wake stormed from the gate, winning 12 of its first 13. Voted a preseason All-America by AP, Chris was enjoying a sensational campaign, scoring nearly 15 a night and dishing out six helpers.

The pressure finally caught up to Chris as the ACC tournament approached. In Wake’s final regular-season contest, he whacked NC State’s Julius Hodge with a closed fist in the midsection. Prosser removed him from the game, but only for a short time. When Chris returned, the Wolfpack fans let him have it. Conference officials were none too pleased with the soph, either. They suspended him for Wake’s first-round tilt in the ACC postseason.

At first, Chris feigned ignorance about the incident. :ater he admitted his mistake, apologized for it and agreed with the decision to suspend him. Without their leader, the Demon Deacons were upset by Florida State in the ACC tourney.

In the big tournament, Wake beat Tennessee-Chattanooga without any problem, but faced a hot-shooting West Virginia squad in the second round. In one of the tourney’s most thrilling games, the Mountaineers won 111-105 in OT. Chris did all he could to change the outcome. In 44 minutes, he scored 22, including several huge buckets to send the contest into the extra period, and added nine assists. With the loss, Wake ended at 27-6.

Though his education was important to him, Chris had nothing left to prove at the college level. He virtually repeated his numbers against another tough schedule and repaired any damage he had done to his image with his play in the big dance. With NBA teams wooing him as a surefire lottery pick,
he opted for the pros.

The teams showing the most interest in Chris were the Hornets. Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats. The Hawks, however, were in the market for a big man. When the Milwaukee Bucks went with Utah’s Andrew Bogut with the first pick, Atlanta took UNC freshman Marvin Williams. The Utah Jazz chose next and opted for the size and maturity of Illinois point guard Deron Williams. That was great news to the Hornets, who grabbed Chris in the fourth slot.

The 20-year-old joined a club expected to do little in 2005-06. Coming off an 18-64 season, the Hornets weren’t exactly blessed with talent. Their top player was center Jamaal Magliore. The rest of the roster was stocked unexciting veterans and youngsters high on potential but short on experience. P.J. Brown, Speedy Claxton, David West and J.R. Smith led the chrage. While Chris would have no problem earning a starting spot, it seemed his impact would be limited given the players surrounding him.

For coach Byron Scott, the picture got a little cloudier when Magliore was shipped to Milwaukee before the season began. Speaking of cloudy, New Orleans—the team and the city—was dealt a severe blow when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. The Hornets were forced to move their home to Oklahoma City. But a funny thing happened on the way to another dismal season. West found his game, Scott got the most out of his supporting cast, and Chris developed into a legitimate star.

The Hornets won 38 games, and Chris was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month every month of the season. At year ’s end, he was a no-brainer for NBA Rookie of the Year. Chris averaged 16.1 points and 7.8 assists a game and provided fearless leadership to the Hornets. NBA point guards had trouble keeping Chris out of the paint, and he proved he could finish in traffic—demanding extra attention and creating more passing opportunities on the dribble-drive.

Chris showed marked improvement in virtually every area during his second NBA season, raising his points to 17.3 and and his assists to 8.9. Hornets fans in Oklahoma City (the team had to spend another year away from New Orleans) saw an even better player, but injuries nagged Chris all year, and he ended up sitting for a total of 18 games. Had he been able to play, the Hornets might have squeaked into the playoffs. As it was, they posted 39 victories, helped by the additions of rebounding monster Tyson Chandler and sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic.

Healthy and motivated in 2007–08, Chris set his sights on a playoff berth and a spot in the All-Star Game, which would be played in New Orleans that February. The Hornets returned home after a two-year hiatus and gave their fans a wonderful treat, sporting the NBA’s top record much of the year and battling for the Southwest Division title. They finished with 56 victories, second best in the NBA.

Night after night, Chris was the difference-maker. When the Hornets needed a momentum-changing play, he was their go-to guy. He blossomed into a bona fide superstar, vying with Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett for MVP recognition throughout the season. Chris led the NBA in assists with 11.6 and steals with 2.7. He also boosted his scoring average to 21.1 points per game. Chris made the All-Star Game, as did West, who also had a breakout year for the Hornets.

The Hornets entered the playoffs without ever having won a postseason series. That changed as they faced the Dallas Mavericks, who had added Jason Kidd for the stretch run. The newest Mav had no answers for Chris, who scored 24 points in the second half of Game 1 to lead New Orleans to 104-92 victory. In Game 2, Chris set a team playoff record with 17 assists as New Orleans won again. He sliced through the Dallas defense almost at will. Chris finished off the Mavs in Game 5 with a triple-double: 24 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds. It was one of the most magnificent performances of the season.

Chris kept up his fantastic play against the San Antonio Spurs in the next round. He led the Hornets to 101–82 and 102–84 victories to open the series. In Game 2, played on his 23rd birthday, Chris demolished Tony Parker for 30 points and 12 assists. Tim Duncan stepped up and the Spurs came roaring back, transforming a potential runaway into a thrilling semifinal series. Unfortunately for the Hornets, it ended on their homecourt in Game 7 with a 91-82 loss. Chris played well, with 18 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds, but San Antonio's championship experience was too much to overcome.

Praised by older players as a kid who “gets it” and revered by everyone else as mature beyond his years, Chris stands poised to snatch the crown of NBA’s best from the current generation of players led by Duncan and Kobe—and redefine for a new generation what playing point guard is all about. You know somewhere Papa Chilly is smiling.

CHRIS THE PLAYER

Chris sees the entire floor, has incredible instincts and makes great decisions. If an opponent is dogging him far from the basket, he’ll drive the lane, either going all the way to the rim or dishing off to an open teammate. If a defender backs off, he has the confidence to stroke his jumper. His shooting has improved since he joined the league, making him one of the toughest players in the NBA to stop when he decides to score.

Though Chris plays at high speed, he’s always in control. He’s been called a one-man fast break, but that’s somewhat deceiving. Chris pushes the ball constantly, though he usually doesn’t force bad shots. His assist-to-turnover ratio is one of the best among point guards.

Chris can frustrate coaches because he’s too unselfish. He’s such a gifted passer—able to hit teammates in positions where they have to do little work to convert—that he has to be reminded at times to look for his shot. Big men especially love playing with him because they get so many lay-ups and dunks.

No one questions Chris’s leadership ability. He’s exceedingly polite and friendly off the court, but on it he possesses a killer mentality. Winning is his bottom line. If he needs to score, he will. If needs to be a distributor, he will. And his effort on defense is always 100%. He is the unquestioned leader of the Hornets.

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