Chris Paul Grants a Wish

Last week, New Orleans Hornet, Chris Paul held his annual charity event, the Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend to raise funds for the CP3 Foundation and to give back to the community he came from…the Winston-Salem Weekend activities included a ‘Day of Service’ on Friday where CP stuffed care packages for American troops overseas and distributed food to needy families…he also hosted a free youth basketball clinic, worked with Special Olympic athletes and held a gala honoring the late Wake Forest Coach Skip Prosser…the first three years of the event have raised over $325,000 for a variety of programs and charities in the Winston-Salem area.

And it’s not just about community, giving back and raising money- it’s about raising spirits: “Today is always a special day,” Paul told the kids. “It’s an opportunity to give back to the community, to you kids and to all the different families who need it.” One such way he gave back to the kids came when he read his new book, Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big to local school children…simply priceless.

But those who know CP, know he’s not gonna stop at reading, donating, or rebuilding when he can do more-when he wants to do more…

Jarrell Marshall’s day went from special to unforgettable at the Carlson Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club. It was already shaping up to be a red-letter day when Marshall got to meet Chris Paul, his favorite NBA player. Marshall, who has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was representing the regional office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation at a check-presentation ceremony at Paul’s annual Winston-Salem Weekend yesterday. Shortly after shaking Marshall’s hand, Paul told him not to go anywhere. “What’s your wish?” Paul asked. “To meet Chris Paul,” Marshall quietly answered. “That and what else?” Paul asked. “To take my family to Jamaica on a cruise.” “I’m here to tell you,” Paul said, “that your wish has been granted.” (Full story can be read HERE)

I try my best to keep up with athletes and their philanthropy. I can count on one hand the number of players who go out and spread love without asking for a pat on the back…players that are so active and sincere about their off-field giving that it’s difficult to keep up with them…Chris Paul is one of those athletes. He’s an exceptional human being who hasn’t been tainted by celebrity and we could certainly use more mighty-mighty-fine CP’s in this world…for more about hot-stuff and his foundation, please visit his website CHRISPAUL3.COM. On behalf of humanity, thank you Chris Paul. (All images courtesy of the CP3 Foundation)

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Chris Paul Dreams Big

New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul has had quite a busy summer…he recently wrapped up a trip to China where he held clinics for the kids, dedicated a basketball court and introduced a new Nike shoe…now, he’s getting ready for the release of his book: Chris Paul: Never Too Small to Dream Big.

“I’m too excited about that,” Paul said. “It’s been a few years coming now…it’s finally coming out. I’m doing a book release in New York on Sept. 22…It’s about my story growing up. The illustrations in the book are great, seeing the pictures of me and my brother, my mom, my dad, my grandfather. It’s great. The story is about me as a young kid, being around my brother and his friends, always telling me that I was too small and different things like that. And to see where I am today, it’s funny. Because in the book, they’re talking about me playing basketball, but anyone can relate to it.”

Indeed…but I’m a bit too distracted to think about CP’s book because hot stuff recently visited and spoke with students at the high school he attended, West Forsyth High in Clemmons, North Carolina…and while there….

…he brought along his son, Chris Paul II…in a sport where too many ballers have gone AWOL on their kids, there’s nothing better than seeing a big man with a small ego shower love on his precious child….

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

NBA Players in the Community

With half the sports fans keeping an eye on NFL training camps and the other half tracking the movements of Princess Kobe overseas, I’ve opted to check in with some of our NBA hotties to see what kind of Summer love they’ve been spreading in the communities…

First up, New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul…a player whose name has become synonymous with ‘rebuilding New Orleans,’ and for obvious reasons-he just doesn’t stop giving back to the community. As part of his continuing efforts to give back to the youth of New Orleans, Paul has committed to refurbish three local basketball courts…last week hot-stuff dedicated one of the refurbished courts-painted to replicate Wake Forest University’s- in the Seventh Ward neighborhood. After the court dedication, CP3 headed to China where he’s running camps and meeting with the local communities before he jumps back on a plane to hold his youth basketball camps for kids. More info HERE.

Next we got New York Knick Al Harrington who’s been a very busy bee…first he hit up the NBA Black Party at K-Mart in Florida where he and rapper Fat Joe are busy promoting their new basketball shoe, the Protégé…the footwear line is the result of a partnership between the NBA and Kmart. Kmart is marketing the new product as an affordable alternative to other basketball shoes…the Protégé kicks starts at $34.99…Harrington must be doing something right, because both Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins (R) and Golden State Warrior Stephen Jackson joined him on the Protégé Tour. In between gigs, Harrington writes on his Facebook page: “I’m visiting the kids at the Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth NJ.” To bring back an old Paris-ism, ‘That’s Hot.’

And of course, we can’t overlook the incredible work Adonal Foyle is doing right now. His Kerosene Lamp Foundation camps in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have seen nearly 1,000 kids in just a few days…In addition to shooting hoops, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and inspiring the kids, Crocs, SolesUnited & UNICEF sent down 3,356 pairs of Crocs to distribute to the youth and all kids received a Healthy Choice frisbee. Foyle is a remarkable example of how one man can truly change lives for the better. And seems that the media is FINALLY catching on…Adonal Foyle will be featured on CNN Heroes on Friday, August 7th, every hour between 6-11:00 AM. Set your DVR, check out his KLF Foundation or join his Facebook page…you might as well get to know him now because trust me kids, he ain’t going anywhere except in the humanitarian section of history books alongside Dikembe Mutombo.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com