February 2008
Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., announced the launch of Chris Paul’s first signature shoe, the Jordan CP, set to release on March 1, 2008. Now in his third season as point guard for the New Orleans Hornets, Paul joins select Team Jordan athletes Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter as members of the Brand with their own signature shoe.
“Having my very own sneaker has been a childhood dream. I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to launch my first signature shoe with Jordan Brand,” said Chris Paul, Team Jordan athlete. “The Jordan CP exceeds all of my on-court needs and this was a great chance for me to design a shoe that reflects my inspirations in life and share it with the world.”
Paul was hand-picked by Michael Jordan to become a member of Team Jordan in his rookie year due to his natural leadership ability and undeniable basketball skills. The Jordan CP showcases personal moments in Paul’s life, demonstrating his devotion to basketball as well as the people he admires. The “61” etched in the shoe symbolizes his grandfather. Just days after the passing of his family hero, Paul played in a high school basketball game scoring exactly 61 points, one for each year his grandfather had lived. The letters “SP” stitched on the backside of the tongue are in loving memory of his mentor and former college coach Skip Prosser.
The Jordan CP comes detailed with Chris Paul’s signature stitch; a bowling pin configuration on the ankle that spotlights his other favorite sport – bowling. The Jordan CP also takes its design inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the Mardi Gras Indians and the city of New Orleans paying homage to the Hornets with a New Orleans stinger heel pull tab.
“When designing the Jordan CP, we collaborated with Chris to create a shoe that best represents his game and his life,” said Jason Mayden, Senior Footwear Designer, Jordan Brand. “The Jordan CP is the perfect blend of style and high-performance, a reflection of Chris while he is on the court and a tribute to his life off of it.”
The high-performance technology built into the Jordan CP will assist Paul in his pursuit of becoming the best point guard in basketball. Known for his agility and speed, Paul required a shoe that could enhance his skills on the court. Constructed with features such as ventilated ankle areas for dynamic breathability, contoured heel lining for comfort, the Jordan CP is made with revolutionary, lightweight materials (weighing in at a light 14oz.) and superior traction. Segmented outsole pods were added to create flexibility for natural motion. These elements combined showcase a shoe that exceeds performance.
Chris Paul embodies the virtues of a Team Jordan athlete through his indisputable talent, leadership skills and strong work ethic. Since high school, when he was named North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball his senior year, Paul has proven himself time and time again as an athlete and as a role model. He earned All-American honors at Wake Forest University before being selected fourth overall in the 2005 draft by the New Orleans Hornets. In his first season as a professional, Paul was named the 2005-2006 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 124 of the 125 first place votes. This year, he continues to demonstrate his abilities as one of the top point guards in the league, earning his first All-Star selection while leading the Hornets in most major statistical categories and guiding the team towards the playoffs after the best start in franchise history.
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