How Chris Paul's legacy is embedded in the 2026 NBA playoffs - ESPN

CHRIS PAUL WAS sitting inside his house in late December scrolling through nearly two decades of pictures, only briefly stopping to chat with neighbor Mookie Betts as the Los Angeles Dodgers star finished getting up shots with friends on Paul's indoor basketball court.

When Paul got back to looking at the album on his phone, the faces of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, De'Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan, Fred VanVleet, CJ McCollum, Malik Monk, Jordan Poole, Coby White and Jared McCain pop up among the 100 NBA players who have attended one of Paul's camps, either as a camper, counselor or workout participant.

«Man, I always say the only way that I can remember anything is my photos,» Paul told ESPN. «Because I feel like I do so much stuff that the only way I'll ever remember any of this stuff is [looking through my photo albums].»

The NBA's No. 2 all-time assists leader requiring a technological assist is understandable. Since 2008, Paul has mentored nearly 2,000 players through his elite basketball camp for high schoolers (Paul also has other camps and combines), his AAU team (Team CP3) and a leadership program, helping educate many of today's best on everything from reading defenses to managing finances and the pitfalls of NBA life.

The camp has helped pro scouts discover point guards such as Ja Morant, whose viral dunk with his elbows and head above the rim during the 2018 camp put him on the map before his breakout sophomore season at Murray State. It even settled debates such as the time in the summer of 2016 when future lottery picks Fox and Dennis Smith Jr. — entering their freshman seasons at Kentucky and NC State, respectively — raced each other.

Paul's race for an elusive championship