theGrio’s 100: Chris Paul, dishing out assists on and off the court

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Who is Chris Paul?

Chris Paul is an All-NBA point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. Since joining the team in 2011, Paul has led the Clippers to back-to-back playoff appearances.

Once the laughingstock of the NBA, the Clippers, not the Lakers, are the best team in Los Angeles.

Along with teammate Blake Griffin, Paul has helped make the Clippers one of the most exciting teams in the league.

Why is he on theGrio’s 100?

Paul is the consummate professional on and off the court. In August, he was elected president of the NBA Players Union.

The union was coming off nearly two years of disarray and a lockout-shortened season which left many players baffled. Paul is the highest-profile union president since Knicks legend Patrick Ewing’s tenure ended in 2001.

It’s clear Paul has the respect of his NBA peers and the confidence to lead the players union for several years to come:

“I have a lot of experience having been around the union, but moving forward it’s not about me as president or the first vice president, it’s about the players as a whole, as a body. That’s what we’ve focused on, how we can build the game.”

Paul has certainly expanded his brand outside of basketball, netting endorsement deals with Jordan Brand and State Farm insurance. His ‘Born to Assist’ ad with long-lost twin ‘Cliff Paul’ was one of 2013’s best.

In 2010, he was named to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. His ‘CP3 Foundation‘ focuses on refurbishing basketball courts and providing scholarships for young people.

What’s next for Paul?

Paul suffered a shoulder injury in early January which will sideline him for six weeks. He currently leads the league in assists per game and his Clippers hold the NBA’s sixth-best record overall.

Paul takes his responsibilities as a father very seriously. He told HBO’s Bryant Gumbel in October just how serious:

“Nobody loves to play basketball more than I do. But I could honestly see myself stopping a little early or premature just because I hate to miss anything with my kids.”

If there’s anyone in the league we could see following through on this, it’s Paul.

Follow Chris Paul on Twitter @CP3