words // Brandon Richard
images // Zac Dubasik
Chris Paul's name first started to ring out on a national level as the star point guard for central North Carolina's West Forsyth High School. As a junior, Paul posted averages of 25 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals per game to help West Forsyth to a 26-4 record and a trip to the state semifinals. Heavily recruited over the next summer, Chris signed a letter of intent to play college ball at Wake Forest prior to his senior season.
In a tragic turn of events, just days after signing his letter of intent, Paul's grandfather, best friend and mentor Nathaniel "Papa Chili" Jones passed away at the age of 61. Just a day after Jones' funeral, Chris played in West Forsyth's season opener with a heavy heart. In a performance that can only be described as fairytale, Paul scored 61 points for the Titans (one for every year Papa Chili lived), purposely airballing a free-throw and removing himself from the game as a tribute to his late grandfather. The state high school scoring record of 66 points was well in reach, but honoring the man who motivated him to be great was far more important to Chris.
Paul averaged 30.8 points, 9.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.0 steals per game the remainder of his 2003 senior year and led West Forsyth to a 27–3 record and the Class 4A Eastern Regional finals. He was a 2003 McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic participant and was named North Carolina's Mr. Basketball for 2003 by The Charlotte Observer.
To celebrate Chris' time at West Forsyth, a special PE colorway of the Jordan CP3.V was created exclusively for Paul and current Titans players. The shoe features the school's traditional green, gold and white colors. Take a closer look below.
