Also known as: cp3reloaded
Paul was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Charles and Robin Paul. Paul played Pop Warner football for the Lewisville Titans and AAU Basketball. He attended Rolling Hills Elementary School, Hanes Middle School and West Forsyth High School.Paul played at West Forsyth High School in Lewisville North Carolina, where he was a 2003 McDonald's All-American and was named North Carolina's Mr. Basketball for 2003 by The Dallas Morning News. Paul averaged 30.8 points, 9.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.0 steals per game as a senior in leading his team to a 27–0 record and the Class 4A Eastern Regional finals. While in a game during high school, Paul scored 61 points in honor of his grandfather, who in 2002 was beaten to death in his own carport during a robbery -- one point for every year his grandfather lived. When Paul reached the 61-point mark, he intentionally missed a free throw, then took himself out of the game even though the state high school scoring record was well within reach.Paul attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. He played there for two years leading the Demon Deacons to two NCAA Tournaments, and one Sweet Sixteen appearance. In his freshman year he was named a Consensus First Team All-American. Chris had also received the ACC Rookie of the Year as well as ACC All-Defensive Team honors during his play at Wake Forest. He left Wake Forest with records near the top of nearly every offensive category.Paul was lauded for his competitive nature in ACC play, but he was also known for letting this competitive drive get the best of him at times. The most popularized example of this occurred during the last regular season game in the 2005 season. While guarding North Carolina State player Julius Hodge, Paul hit with a low blow. Despite replays to the contrary, after the game, Paul insisted, "I don't believe I popped him ... It was just the heat of the game. I've got too much respect for him to try to pop him on senior night."[2] Hodge was initially indignant over the assault, stating "he punched me in the groin and the ref saw it ... I got suspended for that (as a freshman). ...I never play dirty like that." Later, was able to joke about the situation, quipping "At first, I just wanted to find out if I could still have children. Once I figured out I could have children, it was all good."[3] After reviewing the play, ACC officials elected to suspend Paul for Wake Forest's next game, the first game of the ACC conference tournament. Without Paul, the Demon Deacons lost in the second round after a first round bye, coincidentally to North Carolina State.
