WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WFMY) - Winston-Salem native and former Wake Forest star Chris Paul is donating $2.5 million to Wake Forest basketball.
The nine-time NBA All-Star's donation is the largest ever by a former basketball student-athlete or any alumnus under the age of 35 according to the school. Wake says the donation will go toward expanding and enhancing locker rooms, nutrition resources and treatment areas for the men's and women's basketball teams.
The men's team will name their new locker room after Paul, who played at West Forsyth High School before going to Wake. The announcement was made at the Chris Paul Family Foundation Charity Golf Classic in Winston-Salem Tuesday. Former Wake players Ish Smith, James Johnson, Josh Howard and former coach Dave Odom attended.
“Giving back has always been important to my family and me, and Wake Forest is part of my family,” Paul said of his most recent gift to support the Wake Will Lead campaign. “The recent investments towards improving Wake Forest athletics are amazing, and now is the time to give back in a meaningful way. The locker room transformation project inspired me, because that’s where players build relationships and create a unifying camaraderie that is the foundation of success on the court. Forming lifelong friendships with your teammates is one of the most rewarding aspects of sports."
In April, Paul became part of the Winston-Salem Dash's ownership group. The Dash will hold 'Chris Paul Night' this Saturday, Aug. 11 at BB&T Ballpark for their game against the Potomac Nationals.
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