Chris Paul Graduates From Winston-Salem State University Years After Leaving College to Play in NBA
|
Posted By: S. Moore on December 19, 2022 Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul graduated from Winston-Salem State University on Friday. The 37-year-old finished his bachelor’s degree in mass communications at the HBCU. The new graduate first attended college at Wake Forest University in 2003 before being drafted by the NBA in 2005. Paul brought 75 family members to the graduation including his aunts, uncles and grandparents. “WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE, THERE WERE NERVES, THERE WAS AN EXCITEMENT, THERE WAS A FEELING OF COMPLETION,” HE SAID. “But knowing my family was there … I played many high school games in that annex. And it was so dope to look over and see my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, my parents who had been there that whole time. And then to see my wife, my kids, it just felt normal.” Paul also had a gift for his fellow graduates and announced he’d gifted each graduate $100 in an account at the Black and Latino-owned online bank Greenwood. He also paid the membership fees for each student’s account and Elevate membership for one year, a value of $2,500 per graduate. “AS SOMEONE WITH A DEEP PASSION FOR HBCUS, I AM PROUD TO BE GRADUATING FROM WINSTON-SALEM STATE AND ALSO EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH GREENWOOD TO PROVIDE A GRADUATION GIFT TO EACH OF MY CLASSMATES,” HE SAID.
“Career development and financial planning are key next steps in the future for these graduates. This Greenwood Elevate membership will help them grow in the right direction.” The generous 12-time All-Star was honored earlier this year for his contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball by the WNBA as the first recipient of the Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award. SOURCE Black Enterprise If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Jimmy Smith - Jackson StatePride of the Jaguars: Jimmy Smith
New Pride of the Jaguars inductee Jimmy Smith sits with Brian Sexton and reflects on his career, his struggles and his life today.
https://www.jaguars.com/video/pri ...more
How May I Help You NC • 123 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
"We Are Still Fighting": Beatty Inspires Columbus to Continue Dr. King's Legacy at Annual MLK EventIn celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Congresswoman Beatty joined the City of Columbus' Department of Neighborhoods Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Program, in the spirit of Dr. Ki ...more
How May I Help You NC • 156 Views • January 25th, 2026 |
 |
MEET DRE MARTIN WHO IS SEATS BY DRE?HBCU NIGHT
From Martin’s undergraduate experience at Grambling State University, to his Executive MBA studies at Howard University, he has started his own movement to raise awareness for HBCUs, by ...more
How May I Help You NC • 246 Views • January 2nd, 2026 |
 |
Ben Espy: Trailblazing lawyer and leader in ColumbusInspiration is near-)
A state senator a man who graduated from Howard University👨🏾🎓His works live on through members of our world-
He is a father a husband a child ...more
How May I Help You NC • 220 Views • November 11th, 2025 |
 |
Mama Goose® Takes Flight as America’s Most Photographed Airport Fashion Icon Since 2019Before Bridgerton swept us into ballrooms and scandal, there was Mama Goose®— transforming airports into fashion runways with her signature style and over 100 custom-made couture looks.
One of the ...more
Frederick Roberts • 597 Views • August 8th, 2025 |
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 88,780 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 37,254 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,019 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 32,000 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
