WESTPORT — Basketball star Chris Paul, an NBA standout for nearly two decades, will promote his new memoir at a June 27 program at the Westport Library.

Paul, currently a point guard with the Phoenix Suns, will discuss the book, “Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court,” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at the library, 20 Jesup Road. To register for the free event, click here.

Paul will join the program virtually, in conversation with sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, who will be at the library to livestream and record the event for her podcast, “Lunch with Lindsay.”

Attendees will have a chance to ask Paul questions, with priority given to youngsters, according to the library’s announcement. Copies of Paul’s memoir will be on sale. The program is co-sponsored by the Westport Weston Family YMCA, the Ys Men of Westport-Weston and the “06880” blog.

Paul, an NBA player since 2005, established his credentials as a high school player in Winston-Salem, N.C. 

During that time, an incident served as the inspiration for his book’s title. While Paul was making a run for the North Carolina high school scoring record, five days earlier his grandfather — who he called “Papa” — had died of a heart attack during a robbery at the service station he owned, according to a publicity release.

In that critical game, Paul’s last scoring attempt was a free throw that he missed intentionally, ensuring that he would finish with 61 points — one point for every year of his grandfather’s life. It was six points shy of the North Carolina high school single-game record.

Paul played college basketball at Wake Forest, and since joining the NBA has played for the Charlotte Hornets (2005-11), L.A. Clippers (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20) and the Phoenix Suns since 2020.

He was the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year, and became the  first player in league history to register 20,000 career points and 10,000 career assists, having since been joined only by LeBron James. 

Paul also is a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA performer (including four times first team All-NBA) and has finished in the top three of MVP voting on three occasions. 

In addition, he has won two Olympic gold medals as a player with Team USA, in 2008 and 2012, and was named to the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary Team.

For questions, call the Westport Library at 203-291-4800.