Chris Paul Retires After 21 Seasons: Height, Stats & More

Few NBA players have shaped the point guard position quite like Chris Paul. After 21 seasons, the future Hall of Famer announced his retirement in February 2026, closing a career built on elite playmaking, 12 All-Star selections, and a competitive fire that made him one of the most respected floor generals the league has seen. This piece covers his retirement announcement, career stats, the enduring debate about his height, his estimated net worth, and some of the most fascinating NBA trivia connected to his name.

Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) ·
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg) ·
Career PPG: 16.8 ·
Career APG: 9.0 ·
Seasons: 21 ·
All-Star Selections: 12

Ten key facts about Chris Paul at a glance:

Is Chris Paul going to retire?

Yes — Chris Paul announced his retirement from the NBA in February 2026, closing a 21-season career. In a social media post on Instagram, he wrote: “After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball,” as reported by ESPN. The announcement confirmed he would finish the 2025-26 season and then walk away from the game entirely.

When did Chris Paul announce his retirement?

Paul made his retirement public in February 2026. ESPN noted that he had previously indicated he would retire at the end of the 2025-26 season, which would have marked his 21st NBA campaign. The announcement came via a personal Instagram post that quickly went viral across sports media.

What did Chris Paul say in his retirement statement?

In his Instagram post, Paul said simply: “After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball.” ESPN reported that Paul indicated his final NBA game would also be his last game “period,” signaling a full exit from professional competition. The post did not elaborate on his next steps, though speculation about a media or coaching career has followed.

How did the NBA community react?

The basketball world responded with an outpouring of tributes. LeBron James posted a tribute on social media, celebrating Paul’s longevity and impact. NBA analysts uniformly framed Paul as a top-10 all-time point guard, with ESPN calling him “one of the most accomplished point guards in NBA history.” Fans and former teammates shared highlights of his signature mid-range game and no-look passes across platforms.

Is Chris Paul actually 6 ft?

The question trails Chris Paul like a shadow. Officially, he is listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) on NBA.com and Basketball-Reference at 175 pounds (79 kg). Yet among NBA fans, his height is a reloading debate — the kind that surfaces every time a photo shows him standing next to a listed 6’1″ guard and looking shorter.

What is Chris Paul’s official height?

Both the NBA’s official player page and Basketball-Reference list Paul at exactly 6’0″ (1.83 m) and 175 lb (79 kg). These are the same figures that appear in his draft combine measurements and on every team roster he has been part of over 21 seasons. No official measurement has ever listed him shorter.

How does Chris Paul’s height compare to other point guards?

At 6’0″, Paul is on the shorter side for an elite NBA point guard. For context, Stephen Curry is listed at 6’2″, Damian Lillard at 6’2″, and Russell Westbrook at 6’3″. Paul is closer in height to guards like Kyle Lowry (6’0″) and Kemba Walker (6’0″). His production — 16.8 points and 9.0 assists per game for his career — makes him one of the most effective shorter players ever.

Why is his height often debated?

The debate persists because basketball fans compare listed heights with what they see on the court. Paul’s listed 6’0″ has been questioned by fans who note he appears shorter than other 6’0″ players in pre-game lineups. The NBA’s historical practice of rounding player heights up feeds the skepticism — Paul may be 5’11.5″ but listed at 6’0″. Without a verified public measurement, the debate continues.

What are Chris Paul’s career stats?

Paul’s statistical profile is remarkably consistent across 21 seasons. Basketball-Reference records his career averages at 16.8 points, 9.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, with shooting splits of 47.0% from the field, 36.9% from three, and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

What are Chris Paul’s per-game averages?

Per-game stats tell a story of excellence: 16.8 PPG, 9.0 APG, 4.5 RPG, and 2.0 SPG across 1,362 regular-season games. His assist-to-turnover ratio — consistently above 3.0 — is among the best in NBA history.

How many All-Star games has he played?

Paul is a 12-time NBA All-Star, a mark that places him in elite company among guards. He also earned All-NBA honors 11 times and All-Defensive honors 9 times.

What are his career totals in assists and steals?

Paul’s career totals are staggering: 11,894 assists (third all-time) and 2,495 steals (third all-time). He led the NBA in assists five times and steals six times. No other player in league history has won both the assists title and the steals title as many times.

The implication: Paul’s statistical profile cements his reputation as one of the most complete point guards ever, even without a championship ring.

What is Chris Paul’s net worth?

Estimates of Chris Paul’s net worth in 2025 hover around $250 million, according to analysis from sports wealth trackers. This figure combines his NBA salary earnings — which exceed $350 million in career earnings — and endorsement deals with brands like State Farm and Jordan Brand. The actual number is not publicly audited, but $250 million is the most commonly cited range.

How did Chris Paul earn his wealth?

Paul’s NBA contracts alone total over $350 million in base salary across 21 seasons. His largest single deals came with the Houston Rockets (four years, $160 million) and the Phoenix Suns (four years, $120 million). He also earned significant income from endorsements, most notably his long-running State Farm advertising campaign and his Jordan Brand partnership.

Who is Chris Paul married to?

Chris Paul married Jada Crawley in 2011. The couple has two children: a son, Chris Paul II, and a daughter, Camryn. Jada has been a fixture at Paul’s games throughout his career and is involved in his philanthropic work through the Chris Paul Family Foundation.

What endorsements does Chris Paul have?

Paul’s endorsement portfolio includes State Farm, Jordan Brand (he has multiple signature shoes), and Panini (trading cards). His State Farm commercials during the mid-2010s made him one of the most recognizable NBA faces in advertising. These deals have added an estimated $50-70 million to his net worth over his career.

What this means: Paul’s combination of on-court earnings and endorsements places him among the wealthiest point guards in NBA history, even without a championship.

Which NBA player had a 4.0 GPA?

The question leads to Chris Paul himself. Paul carried a 4.0 GPA in high school at West Forsyth in North Carolina, balancing academic excellence with a rising basketball career. This trivia often surprises fans who know him only as the fiercely competitive “Point God.” But the 4.0 GPA is just one of several quirky, high-interest NBA trivia topics that connect back to the larger conversation around Paul and his peers.

What NBA player has 17 siblings?

Larry Nance Jr. was raised alongside 17 siblings in a blended family, a detail he has shared in interviews. His father, Larry Nance Sr., also played in the NBA. This fact is often referenced in “most siblings” NBA trivia lists, though the exact number continues to be shared informally across fan communities.

Who are the 4 billionaires in the NBA?

As of 2025, the only four NBA players confirmed to have reached billionaire status are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Junior Bridgeman. Jordan built his fortune through the Hornets sale and Nike royalties. LeBron crossed the $1 billion mark through smart business moves including his SpringHill media company and a stake in Liverpool FC. Magic Johnson’s business empire spans real estate, insurance, and sports investments. Junior Bridgeman earned his wealth through restaurant franchises and Coca-Cola bottling.

Who never missed a dunk?

Wilt Chamberlain is widely reported to have never missed a dunk in a regular-season NBA game. Given his size (7’1″) and dominance in the paint, Chamberlain’s dunk percentage is a legendary piece of NBA lore, though no official tracking data from the 1960s-70s can confirm or deny the claim absolutely.

What was LeBron’s GPA?

LeBron James graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School with a 3.5 GPA, according to published reports from his draft year. That GPA, combined with his basketball dominance, made him a rare combination of elite student and athlete coming out of high school in 2003.

Was Yao Ming really 7’6″?

Yao Ming was measured at 7’5″ (2.26 m) without shoes at the 2002 NBA combine. The 7’6″ listing is a rounding that stuck. He is nevertheless one of the tallest players in league history, alongside Gheorghe Mureșan (7’7″) and Manute Bol (7’6″).

Who has a 70 inch vertical?

No NBA player has a verified 70-inch vertical leap. The highest recorded vertical jumps in NBA combine history are around 48 inches, achieved by players like Kenny Gregory. The 70-inch figure is a myth that circulates in online fan forums.

Timeline: Chris Paul’s career

Eight milestones define the arc of Paul’s 21 seasons:

• 2005: Drafted 4th overall by New Orleans Hornets (Basketball-Reference)
• 2005-2011: Plays for New Orleans Hornets, wins Rookie of the Year (Basketball-Reference)
• 2011-2017: Los Angeles Clippers, “Lob City” era
• 2017-2020: Houston Rockets, reaches Western Conference Finals
• 2020-2023: Phoenix Suns, reaches NBA Finals (2021)
• 2023-2024: Traded to Washington Wizards, then to Golden State Warriors
• 2024-2025: San Antonio Spurs (briefly), announces impending retirement
• February 2026: Official retirement announcement on Instagram (ESPN)

Confirmed facts & open questions

The catch: The open questions show that even a well-documented career leaves room for speculation, particularly around finances and future plans.

Quotes on Paul’s legacy

“After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball.”

— Chris Paul, retirement announcement on Instagram (via ESPN)

“One of the most accomplished point guards in NBA history.”

— ESPN, retirement coverage

“He changed the way people see the point guard position. His IQ, his pace, his ability to control a game — there’s a reason they call him the Point God.”

— NBA analyst, media coverage

The implication: Chris Paul’s legacy, enriched by trivia and debate, ensures he will remain a central figure in NBA conversations for years to come.

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