Chris Paul Retires After 21 NBA Seasons, Celebrates with Wife Jada

The former Phoenix Suns star reflects on his career and looks forward to spending more time with his family.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Retired NBA player Chris Paul has announced his retirement after a 21-season career. Paul, who played for the Phoenix Suns, shared the news on Instagram, saying he is now ready to be "the best teammate" to his wife Jada Paul and their two children. The couple, who met in high school, have been married since 2011 and have two kids together - son Chris Jr. and daughter Camryn.

Why it matters

Chris Paul's retirement marks the end of an era for the NBA star, who was known for his skill and leadership on the court. His relationship with his wife Jada has also been a source of inspiration, as the two have been together since high school and built a strong family together despite the demands of Paul's professional basketball career.

The details

Chris Paul and Jada Paul, née Crawley, met in high school in 2003 after being introduced by a mutual friend. They got married in September 2011 in North Carolina, with their then-toddler son Chris Jr. in attendance. The couple welcomed their daughter Camryn the following year. Over the years, Paul has praised Jada as the "rock" of their family, noting that she has been a consistent presence for their children as he traveled for games throughout his NBA career.

  • Chris Paul announced his retirement on February 12, 2023.
  • Chris and Jada Paul got married in September 2011.
  • The couple welcomed their son Chris Jr. in 2009 and their daughter Camryn in 2012.

The players

Chris Paul

A retired NBA player who spent 21 seasons in the league, most recently with the Phoenix Suns. He is married to Jada Paul and they have two children together.

Jada Paul

Chris Paul's wife, whom he met in high school. She is a co-founder of the Chris Paul Family Foundation and has also founded a productivity tool brand called Curated by Alexis P.

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What they’re saying

“To all the teammates, coaches, staff, executives and most of all family. I can't begin to thank you enough...but the good news is I'll now have much more time to start!”

— Chris Paul (Instagram)

“Women are strong enough themselves to do any and everything.”

— Chris Paul (PEOPLE)

“My wife has undoubtedly been the rock. She's been [the] most consistent thing that they've known in their lives so she's their go-to for any and everything.”

— Chris Paul (PEOPLE)

What’s next

Chris Paul's retirement will be celebrated with a special event hosted by the Chris Paul Family Foundation in the coming months.

The takeaway

Chris Paul's retirement marks the end of an illustrious NBA career, but the focus now shifts to his family life and the continued work of the Chris Paul Family Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Jada to positively impact individuals and communities.