Chris Paul, point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is one of the most popular and most well-paid players in the National Basketball Association right now.
Paul for six years has been married to his wife, Jada, whom he frequently speaks fondly of off the court and on social media. He has said that Jada is his best friend, and they have two children together.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my best friend that just so happens to double as my WIFE!!! #LuckyManIAm…
Happy Anniversary @jada_ap! #tbt http://t.co/g6uMQS7qi6
So who exactly is Jada Paul, the wife of Los Angeles Clippers player Chris Paul? Here’s what you need to know.
1. They Started Dating When Chris Was 18
Chris has been with his wife for about 40 percent of his life.
Both Chris and Jada Crawley are from North Carolina. Chris went to high school at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina, while Jada went to high school at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
All is right in the world…my High School WEST FORSYTH beat @jada_ap high scool Mount Tabor 2nite!!! #TitanPride
Chris met his future wife at Wake Forest University, where both of them went to college. He played for the Demon Deacons while attending Wake Forest University, and after graduation, he was selected fourth in the 2005 NBA draft.
According to Chris Paul’s Instagram page, he and Jade started dating when they were 18 years old.
In 2011, Chris said that he loves Jada and that this will last much longer than his love of basketball.
“I truly love Jada; she has been there for the ups and the downs,” he told Essence. “Basketball isn’t going to last forever. Jada and I love spending time with each other, genuinely.”
2. Their Son, Christopher, Was Born in 2009
Jada and Chris Paul had a son, Christopher Emmanuel Paul, in May 2009.
On several occasions, Chris’ son has joined him for press conferences. In 2015, Chris Paul turned to his son at a press conference to ask if he should play all 82 games this season, and his son nodded in the affirmative, causing the crowd to laugh. Earlier, in 2012, Chris Paul at a press conference asked his son to make the “Blake face,” imitating Clippers player Blake Griffin.
Recently, Christopher had the opportunity to hang out with his father on the bench during a game, according to SB Nation.
Chris Paul said on Twitter in 2011 that he spent most of his life in one location, but his son travels about as often as most adults do.
I was fortunate that my entire childhood was in 1 location and I always wonder what its like 4 my son who does as much traveling as grownups
Chris Paul’s son has his own Instagram account, “littlechrisp.” Recently, he visited Zendaya on the set of K.C. Undercover.
It seems that Christopher takes after his father, as Jade recently posted a video on Instagram of Christopher playing basketball; the video was accompanied by the caption, “First game of the Winter season! So proud of him; he works hard and his game is improving everyday.”
3. Chris & Jade Were Married in 2011
Chris and Jada Paul were married in September 2011.
The wedding took place at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jada told Essence that it was important for her and Chris to get married in North Carolina, where both of them met.
Jada and Chris’ son, Christopher Emmanuel Paul, was two years old at the time and attended the wedding with his parents. According to Essence, the wedding program said of him, “We never knew it was possible to love someone as much as we love each other until you came into our lives.”
4. Their Second Child, Camryn Alexis, Was Born in 2012
In August 2012, Jada and Chris Paul had their second child.
Camryn Alexis Paul was born on August 16th, 2012; she is now four years old and will be turning five this year.
Jada recently posted a photo of Camryn taking a picture of Chris, with Jada joking that Camryn is “the artsy fartsy type for sure.”
5. Jada Gives Away Prom Dresses Each Year
Chris Paul founded the Chris Paul Family Foundation which, according to its website, “strives to positively impact individuals and families by leveling the playing field in Education, Sports and Life.”
One part of this foundation is a program run by Jada Paul called the Jada Paul Prom Dress Giveaway.
Each year, Jada Paul hosts high school seniors at a hotel, and they are treated to a braid bar, makeup tutorials, a fashion show, and more, according to Essence.
The young women invited to the event are able to select their own prom dress, shoes, purses and jewelry, according to The Jasmine Brand. In addition to the one held in Los Angeles, there is also a prom dress giveaway hosted in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
The most recent Prom Dress Giveaway took place in April 2016, and Chris Paul himself posted about it on his Twitter and Instagram page.