Sixty-One

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The day after future NBA superstar Chris Paul signed his letter of intent to play for Wake Forest, he received devastating news: his grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones, was mugged and died from a heart attack due to the assault. A respected figure in Winston-Salem, Papa owned the first Black-owned service station in North Carolina and his funeral drew over a thousand mourners. Following the loss, Chris coped through basketball, scoring sixty-one points in a game—one for each year of his grandfather's life—just a day after the funeral. Local headlines noted he fell short of a state record, but Chris achieved his personal goal. In this memoir, he reflects on life beyond basketball and the profound impact his grandfather had on shaping him into the man and father he is today. Chris discusses the importance of faith and family, being a positive influence in the community, and setting a strong example for future generations. He also shares insights about his hometown of Winston-Salem and the supportive village that helped him become a respected leader in sports.