New Rocket Chris Paul brings celebrity bowling to The Woodlands
THE WOODLANDS — When the Houston Rockets traded for Chris Paul back in June, they knew they were getting another All-Star in the backcourt to join James Harden.
The move also bought a celebrity bowling event, hosted by Paul, to the area.
On Thursday, the Rockets’ guard and his guests descended on Bowlero The Woodlands for the ninth annual State Farm CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational, which will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. CT on Feb. 4.
The Woodlands is the fifth location to host the event, which has followed Paul with his career stops.
“We’ve sponsored Chris Paul in the past in one of our centers in California, and we think it’s a great event,” Tom Shannon, the CEO of Bowlero, said. “Athletes from outside of the world of bowling sort of cross over and it creates a lot of excitement.”
The invitational benefits the Chris Paul Family Foundation, which was created in honor of Paul’s late grandfather Nathaniel Jones.
Paul’s family, including his wife and parents, among others, are directly involved in the foundation. The mission, per the foundation’s website, is, ‘to positively impact individuals and families by leveling the playing field in education, sports and life.’
The foundation, now in its 12th year of existence, has been a big part of Paul’s NBA life ever since it began in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, where Paul attended Wake Forest University.
“I don’t know what I envisioned, I was a lot younger at the time,” Paul said. “I actually just wanted to try to help out with my hometown and do different things. It’s been an unbelievable blessing to expand it in so many different cities and just to continue to grow. As I grow as a person, as a family, it continues to branch out and do more and more.”
For his charitable efforts, Paul has won the monthly NBA Community Assist Award five times in the past, most recently in April 2015.
This year’s invitational guest list included Rockets all-star James Harden, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, former NFL star Terrell Owens and Oscar Nunez, who played Oscar Martinez on ‘The Office.’ Some PBA stars were also in attendance, including reigning Player of the Year EJ Tackett and two Hall of Famers – Norm Duke and Pete Weber.
Harden, who said his personal-best bowling score was 212, admitted some nerves ahead of the event. He also said it was important to support his new teammate.
“We’re competitive,” Harden said. “[Paul]’s very competitive. Ever since the summer, we’ve bowled a couple times. I’m here to show him support. Anything he has going on, any of my teammates have going on, I’ll be there to support them.”
The Rockets (17-4) have won 12 of their last 13 games and currently sit atop the Western Conference.
Paul missed the beginning of the season with a knee injury. Since his return, he is averaging 11.1 points, 10.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
“We’re having a lot of fun,” Paul said. “I’m just happy to be back out on the court. Those first 14 games, the team did great, but I personally just wanted to be out there to help.”