Chris Paul of the Suns earned his college degree from Winston-Salem St.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Chris Paul now a college graduate.

The phoenix sun Winston-Salem State University graduates on Friday at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.

Paul originally attended Awaken the forest, where he starred as a basketball player from 2003 to 2005 before entering the NBA draft as a sophomore. He’s back in schools across town in Winston-Salem State in 2020.

“I don’t want it to be about me,” Paul told Andscape after the ceremony. “I tried to make it as casual as possible. You know, all these students here fought hard to get their degrees. And I wanted to make sure I wasn’t trying at all. show them off on their special day. They have so many families and loved ones here to support and see them. And I just want to graduate like that.”

Paul had 15 points, 13 assists and 7 assists in 36 minutes at the Suns’ win line 111-95 via Laser cutting on Thursday. Around 11:30 p.m. Pacific time, Paul and several family members boarded a private jet from Van Nuys, California, to Winston-Salem, which took about 3 hours and 40 minutes and arrived around 6:30 a.m. by ET time.

Two hours later, Paul arrived at the graduation ceremony in his cap and gown.

NBA All-Star 11 times stood in the parking lot with all other graduates in 38-degree weather for at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. Paul participated in the entire ceremony. An estimated 75 family members attended the graduation ceremony and countless took selfies with the point guard.

“When I was about to step across the stage, I was nervous, excited and had a sense of accomplishment,” says Paul. “But knowing that my family was there… I played a lot of high school games in that annex. And it was fascinating to look over and see my aunts and uncles, grandparents, parents, who had being there the whole time. And then to see my wife, my kids, it just feels normal.”

Winston-Salem State is a historic Black university. At the start of the graduation ceremony, Paul received a standing ovation when it was announced that he was funding a bank account from Black-owned Greenwood for each graduate that would be worth 2,500 dollars.

Paul left North Carolina for Phoenix around 2:50 p.m. ET. The sun organizes New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

“How do I get ready for tomorrow’s game? I’ll get ready with my family,” Paul said. “It’s crazy to be with my family. I’m going to be with my wife and kids for the next 10 days, and that’s my happiest place. We’ll be taking this flight back, maybe trying to come back. home tonight. body still working, hope to lie down and watch a movie with them and enjoy the time.”