Rare Photos of Chris Paul

Rare Photos of Chris Paul

Chris Paul Headline

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After being selected with fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, Chris Paul quickly became one of the league's top point guards, racking up a Rookie of the Year award, six All-Star Game appearances, one All-Star MVP award, two Olympic gold medals and a handful of NBA records. Here's a look at some classic photos of the 6-foot guard, who reportedly has agreed to a five-year, $107 million extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Courtesy of Chris Paul

A mini CP3.

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Back at his childhood home in North Carolina, Paul was the proud owner of a framed Dick Vitale "The Theory of Rock-A-Tivity" poster.

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The 18-year-old guard from West Forsyth High in Clemmons, N.C., lit up the 2002 Nike Camp with teammate and future Cavaliers guard Daniel "Boobie" Gibson (background).

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As the top point guard prospect to come out of North Carolina in 2003, Paul committed to Wake Forest, where he played two years before going pro.

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But before joining the Demon Deacons, Paul battled LeBron James in the Jordan Capital Classic in April 2003.

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LeBron put up 34 points, but Paul's Silver team prevailed, 107-102.

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And here's Chris Paul in an oil field. With a basketball. Because that's normal.

Jeffery A. Salter/SI

Paul, donning a Jay-Z sweatshirt, is all smiles with his ma, Robin Jones and pa, Charles Paul.

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During his senior year of high school, Paul famously scored 61 points in a game in honor of his grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, who had been killed just days before. Jones was 61. When Paul reached the 61-point mark, he intentionally missed a free throw and took himself out of the game, even though he was just six points away from breaking the state scoring record.

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In his two years at Wake Forest, Paul led the team to NCAA appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16. He was named the ACC's Rookie of the Year in 2004.

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Family bonding over some spaghetti.

ennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA's tradition of humiliating first-year players was alive and well in 2005. This is what the league did to Paul when the Hornets drafted him. Poor guy.

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Here's how you make a 6-foot (on a good day) point guard look even smaller.

Jeffery A. Salter/SI

CP3 and then-Hornets guard Speedy Claxton get some quality, artery-clogging grub at The Sizzler.

Jeffery A. Salter/SI

You'll never see a trainer this excited to stretch out Chris Paul.

Jeffery A. Salter/SI

Paul, who appears quite proud of his extensive shoe collection, became one of only three athletes to get his own Jordan Brand shoe. Derek Jeter and Carmelo Anthony were the others.

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Paul and His Airness shot some pool at Zo & Magic's 8-Ball Challenge during All-Star Weekend in 2008.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Nickelodeon

CP3 got to meet SpongeBob SquarePants during Nickelodeon's Annual Worldwide Day of Play at a Big Brothers Big Sisters even in New York. Jealous.

Skip Bolen/Getty Images for PBA

Paul, who happens to be quite the bowler, was joined by Reggie Bush and Lil Wayne in the PBA Chris Paul Celebrity Bowling Invitational in New Orleans.