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North Carolina PG scores 61 after grandfather's murder

Nathaniel Frederick Jones owned a gas station. He would tell his grandson that he couldn't work for anyone else and have them tell him he couldn't see them play ball.

Chris Paul, a 6-foot oint gurad from Clemmons, N.C., used to work at the gas station. He had a unique relationship with his granddad.

"My granddad was my best friend," said Paul, who attends West Forsyth High School outside of Winston-Salem, N.C. "I talked to him everyday. I don't think anybody was as proud of me and my accomplishments as much as my granddad."

On a Friday night, Jones was leaving his job when a group of boys murdered him. The senseless act devastated a community and a family. Paul figured there was no better way to honor his granddad than with his play on the court.

"Before the game my heart was racing because I knew I wanted to do something special for him. The hardest thing was to get back on the court and play. My family told me to be strong and that he wanted me to play."

And play he did.

It must have felt like a Walt Disney movie inside the gym when Paul's team beat Parkland. The little guard who led the Kappa Magic to the 2002 AAU National Championship, did something much more important than win the AAU MVP trophy: he honored his granddad.

Paul had 59 points late in the fourth quarter. A driving bucket increased his total to 61 points and that's where it would stay.

Paul scored as many points as years his granddad lived. It was his tribute to a man who had given him so much. He was fouled on the play and went to the line where he decisively shot the free throw straight out of bounds.

For a brief moment, Paul was able to give a grieving, tight-knit family a rare moment of joy.

"I prayed about it," Paul said. "My aunt mentioned something about trying to score 61 to honor him but I didn't think I could do it. But as the game went on, I thought I could."

David Gellatt, one of Paul's teammates, helped him accomplish the feat. "I was so tired and he kept telling me that I was going to do it. He was with me the night I found out [about my granddad]."

Paul has already and will continue to do amazing things in his basketball career. You'll probably see him in the 2003 McDonald's Game and later leading Wake Forest to ACC wins. But, it may be hard to top what he did in honor of his best friend. Nathaniel Jones won't get to see his grandson play again.

Deep down, Paul knows that and it's probably what will continue to drive him and shape him into a special person and player. But for now, Paul isn't ready to accept his grandfather's passing.

"I just keep thinking that he's out of town," Paul said.

Maybe he is out of town, but he stopped by for one special night to be with his grandson again.

Junior PF could be impact player

Devon Hardin, a 6-8 junior power forward from Newark (Calif.) Memorial, is a great-looking prospect, with an NBA body and a big upside. Hardin is still raw at the offensive end, but he's a very good shot-blocker and he figures to get a number of high major looks.

We spoke with Hardin recently and he told us that he's hearing from Cal, Stanford, Santa Clara, UCLA and USC, among others.

"Most of the California schools," said Hardin.

We asked if he had any geographical preference and Hardin said, "Yes, I'd prefer to stay in the west."

"I'll be looking at what a school can do for me academically, as well as athletically," said Hardin. "If it's good in basketball, but not strong academically, that would make a difference."

We asked Hardin how much weight he would give to early playing time.

"I want to go somewhere that I can be an influence on the team," said Hardin.

Hardin said his father will play a role in his decision.

"I'll talk with my father -- my parents would prefer I stay somewhat close," said Hardin.

Hardin told us that he's doing fine academically and will have no trouble qualifying.

-- Greg Hicks, PacWestHoops.com

Long Beach PF has four on list

Marcus Lewis, 6-foot-6 junior power forward from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly, is a big-bodied post with good feet and soft hands. He can face up and shoot out to 15-18 feet. He plays hard consistently and has no problem banging in the paint.

We spoke with Lewis recently and he told us that his top four schools at the moment are Oregon, Washington, Stanford and Connecticut.

When asked if any school stood out from the group, Lewis said, "I really like Oregon -- they came to see me at my school back in October."

We asked Lewis about the issues that would influence his choice and he said, "Somewhere I can play and academics. I want to play early. Location won't be an issue at all."

He also said that his parents would prefer he stay in the west and academics is a major issue with them.

We asked if winning at the highest level would be a priority and Lewis replied, "No, I think it would be fun to take a team that's not there yet and help them make it."

Lewis told us that he has called all four schools on his list and spoken with the coaches. He expects to make a decision sometime after July. Lewis said he has a 3.5 GPA and scored 1020 on the PSAT.

-- Greg Hicks, PrepWestHoops.com

 

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