Top players show for charity event

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 17, 2006 | by Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C -- The A-list of NBA celebrities included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, but Chris Paul still owns this town.

Paul headlined the celebrity bowling tournament Saturday night to raise money for a local student to attend Wake Forest, where Paul played for two years.

James, Wade, Anthony and Dwight Howard were among the NBA players bowling in the event. All of them recently returned with Paul from Japan after capturing the bronze medal at the world championships.

"I'm just thankful that these guys came out," Paul said. "We've been in Japan for a while and Carmelo still came out. I really appreciate they all came out and showed their support."

Other celebrities who bowled included former Wake Forest basketball stars Josh Howard and Muggsy Bogues, New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott and Bret Hedican and Andrew Ladd of the Carolina Hurricanes.

"At first I had a lot of stuff on my schedule, but I canceled some stuff," Anthony said. "Me and Chris really gained a good relationship overseas and I'm pretty sure we're going to be friends the rest of our lives."

The lighthearted event was part of a busy summer for Paul, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year award with the New Orleans Hornets last season, then played on the U.S. basketball team.

Paul has managed to keep close ties to his hometown, where he set up the CP3 Foundation to honor his grandfather Nathanial Jones, who was murdered when Paul was in high school. The scholarship Paul established at Wake Forest is named for his grandfather.

"For a kid to be so young and have a great vision and the poise to start something like this, it's just unbelievable" Bogues said. "I'm just happy to lend a helping hand."

While many athletes put together charity golf tournaments, Paul wanted a bowling event. His family introduced him to the sport at a young age. He received a ball as a Christmas present in high school, and he owns his own shoes.

"I tell people all the time I do basketball as a hobby. Bowling is what I really do," said Paul, who says he bowls almost every day when he's in Winston-Salem.

The rest of the NBA stars were iffy bowlers, and got some razzing from Paul.

"It's great to be home," Paul said.