CP3’s Large Circle of Friends Not Limited to NBA

March 5, 2007

I have the fortune of being able to hang around Chris Paul on the road, at practice or on occasion, away from the court. One thing that always strikes me about CP is that he knows everyone. He is always on his Sidekick or BlackBerry.

Now, we already know that Paul is good friends with a “who’s who” of NBA stars, including Cleveland’s LeBron James, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Dallas’ Josh Howard, San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. However, I wanted to let fans in on who CP3 hangs with outside the NBA – so I sat down with CP and went through his phones to pick out 10 non-NBA people and let him describe his friendship with each celebrity:

Hip-hop artist Lil’ Wayne (left) is one of the Hornets’ most avid fans and Chris Paul’s favorite rapper.

1) Lil’ Wayne (a famous rapper from New Orleans)
“I first met Wayne back at the Final Four during my sophomore year at Wake Forest. We have kept in touch ever since, and it was a coincidence that I was drafted by New Orleans and he is from New Orleans. We talk frequently. He is my favorite rapper and he may be the biggest Hornets fan there is. My brother, C.J., also went on tour with him for a few dates last year. Wayne is courtside at almost every Hornets game in NOLA.”

2) Kevin Durant (a freshman sensation at Texas projected to be a top-two pick in the 2007 NBA Draft if he declares)
“I met Kevin a couple years ago at an AAU tournament. I talk to him almost every day. He is having a great year and has a bright future ahead. I went and saw him when Texas played OU and will hopefully see him at the Big 12 tourney.”

3) Candace Parker (a junior at Tennessee, one of the top women’s collegiate players)
“I have known Candace for a little while, but I got to know her a lot better at the ESPYs. We talk often. She is having a great season.”

4) Julius Peppers (of the Carolina Panthers, one of the NFL’s best defensive ends)
“I go back a little with ‘Pepp.’ We have the Carolina connection. He was at our last game in Charlotte and often times, gives my parents tickets to games. He was also at a party I threw in Charlotte last summer.”

5) Spike Lee (a famous filmmaker and an avid NBA fan)
“I sat courtside with Spike at the Michael Jordan high school game. We also hung out before the draft last year in New York and went to a few parties together.”

6) Muggsy Bogues (a former Hornets guard and former head coach of the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting)
“Muggsy is a great friend of mine and my family. We all spend a lot of time with him and he has always given me great advice. Since he is in Charlotte, I see him a lot when I go back home.”

Reggie Bush and Chris Paul are two of professional sports’ brightest young stars.

7) Greg Oden (a freshman center at Ohio State, projected as the next great big man in the NBA)
“I met Greg a couple of years ago when he was trying to decide which college to attend. He was between Wake Forest and Ohio State. I was his host when he and Mike Conley came for their visit at Wake.”

8) Jay-Z (a multi-platinum rapper and producer)
“Jay came into our locker room at the McDonald’s All-American game (CP was a McDonald’s All-American in high school). I also went to one of his concerts before I came into the NBA and he gave me backstage passes.”

9) Reggie Bush (rookie tailback for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints)
“Reggie and I have gotten to know each other through our New Orleans connections and at the ESPYs. When we played down there during the Saints’ season, we would hang out and play cards, go to dinner and such. We both want to do our part for the city of New Orleans, as well.”

10) Eva Longoria (actress of ABC’s Desperate Housewives and fiancée of Spurs’ guard Tony Parker)
“Eva is a great girl. I am really close to Tony (Parker), so each time we play in San Antonio I hang out with Eva and Tony. We just hung out together at the Jordan party during All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas.”