In the late nineties, there was a teenager who worked silently at the counter of a gasoline station in Lewisville, North Carolina. All those customers paid him for their gas without knowing that the young man was actually Chris Paul, the future NBA superstar.
This wasn’t exactly where he started from but it counted as part of Paul’s journey. Chris Paul was also known as CP3 and during his high school days, he would attend to his grandfather’s filling station. He usually used his cash to buy things that interested him although the most important thing on his mind was basketball.
At this time, Chris’ mother, Robin Jones, was working hard to make ends meet so she could provide for her two sons. Charles and Chris who is elder than him were both gifted athletes with potential college recruiters would die for.
However, higher education did not come cheaply since they all had to go take loans each year just to afford tertiary institutions for their children. This happened during an episode of “Raising Fame” podcast, a show that is hosted by Lucille O’Neal and Sonya Curry – the mothers of Shaquille O’Neal and Steph Curry respectively.
In that episode, Chris Paul’s parents talked about how they had been there with their son in those difficult moments. Robin said, “We only knew one thing – our children were capable enough to go to college.” Consequently; we used most of our resources because college was too expensive.
No Sacrifice Made
However, despite the burdensome monetary costs incurred by the Pauls, they never saw it as a sacrifice. “It wasn’t a sacrifice,” added Robin. “Every year typically at the end of May we would get a loan so that we could be ready for summer because both kids played AAU and every year went to nationals”.
His parents saw his intelligence and drive from an early age and felt he was destined for greatness. When he graduated from Wake Forest University and was drafted 4th overall by New Orleans Hornets in 2005 NBA Draft, it was victory for his family.
When her son held the New Orleans Hornets jersey right before her eyes, Robin knew she would not have to borrow money anymore. Later on in his career Chris Paul became a twelve-time NBA All-Star accumulating $160 million in net worth but he never forgot where he came from.
With the memory of his grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, he created the Chris Paul Family Foundation in 2005. Over the last nineteen years, this foundation has been empowering societies in all cities he played a game for. He was given NBA Cares Community Assist Award in recognition of his commitment to charity work.
Chris Paul’s rise from being a gas station attendant to an NBA legend is a story of dedication and family love. When she looks at her son now, Robin knows that she raised more than just a basketball player.
