“My girlfriend was my basketball”

Chris Paul loves basketball more than anything, and as a high school player, his younger self focused less on dating or having a girlfriend.

Paul cared more about improving as a basketball player than having a romantic relationship. He felt married to the sport itself.

In an interview with Fadeaway World, Paul opened up about his high school love life — or lack thereof — at West Forsyth High School. Let’s say that’s not exactly what his fans expected.

However, many young basketball stars are concerned about their future. Maybe he wasn’t alone.

Chris Paul comments on high school love life

During the interview, Paul explained, “Do you have a boyfriend? How old are you? 14? Okay, so you’ve been talking on the phone all night? You don’t even have a phone? OK. Well, listen. I get it, I’m not mad at you.

“Does anyone know how many girlfriends I had when I was here?” 1? No. 4? Shit, I appreciate it, but not quite… None, exactly, none, and I tell people all the time my girlfriend was my basketball, she was my girlfriend.

“But that’s the thing too, at your guys’ age, what do you have to talk about?” Paul continued. “Especially if your boyfriend and girlfriend go to school here.”

“You don’t have much to say so you sit on the phone all night listening to yourself breathe.” I had a plan, I didn’t have time to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or walk around seeing people kissing, it’s disgusting. Go to class…”

Although he’s a little harsh, he’s right. All dreams must be protected. Nothing could take Paul away from his favorite sport.

The high school star was one of the best guards in the country

In 2003, Paul was the No. 1 ranked guard in North Carolina. During his freshman year at West Forsyth High School, the guard averaged 25 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals per game.

Nathanial Jones, Paul’s 61-year-old grandfather, was murdered in his senior year. To honor his grandfather, he scored 61 points in a game, 6 points shy of the state record. Paul intentionally missed a free throw to stay on the correct number. Then he asked coach David Laton to be removed.

As one of the top prospects in high school, Paul also ranked No. 2 at his position nationwide. He joined Wake Forest as a five-star recruit.

In college, he met his future wife, Jada Crawley. The Winston-Salem native married Crawley on September 10, 2011. So, everything finally worked out. Not everyone needs a high school love life.

In two seasons and 63 total games played at Wake Forest, Paul averaged 15 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He won ACC Rookie of the Year in 2004.

After two college seasons, he was ready to play professional basketball. Chris Paul was selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in the 2005 NBA Draft. He has played with the Phoenix Suns since 2020.