NBA's Chris Paul gives $2.5M to Wake Forest basketball
WINSTON-SALEM — Chris Paul, the Houston Rockets point guard and former Wake Forest University superstar, will make the largest ever donation to the university from an alumnus under age 35.
The $2.5 million pledged by Paul will go toward efforts to transform the men's and women's basketball clubhouses with expanded locker rooms, nutrition resources and treatment areas.
A new Chris Paul Locker Room for the men's team will be named in his honor.
"Giving back has always been important to my family and me, and Wake Forest is part of my family," Paul said in a release issued by the university.
“The recent investments towards improving Wake Forest Athletics are amazing, and now is the time to give back in a meaningful way. The locker room transformation project inspired me, because that’s where players build relationships and create a unifying camaraderie that is the foundation of success on the court. Forming lifelong friendships with your teammates is one of the most rewarding aspects of sports."
Paul and Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman made the announcement at the Chris Paul Family Foundation Charity Golf Classic Tuesday in Winston-Salem before a crowd that included nearly two dozen former Wake Forest basketball student-athletes and coaches, including Ish Smith, James Johnson, Josh Howard and Dave Odom.
Tournament proceeds will provide scholarships for underprivileged elementary and middle school youth to participate in area sports organizations, such as the CP3 Academy, First Tee, YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, Winston Salem Lacrosse and Twin City Soccer.
Paul's philanthropic efforts in the Winston-Salem area also include an endowment for scholarships at Wake Forest. In 2007, Paul established the Nathaniel Jones Student Scholarship in memory of his grandfather and mentor, which awards two scholarships (one athletic and one academic) annually to deserving students, with a preference for those from Forsyth County.
“We appreciate Chris’ desire to give back to our program and assist our mission to cut down nets," said men's basketball head coach Danny Manning.
"Our goal is to have players who are not just a part of this program for four years but are a part of this program for life. When our alumni are invested in the future success of Demon Deacon basketball, it allows us to build a stronger program. With this gift, Chris not only shows his generosity but his continued passion for Wake Forest and we are grateful to continue to have him involved with our program
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Does it matter?
Lebron really rubbing off the league.
