Teen Shares Bond With NBA Star Chris Paul

HS Basketball Player Scored 1 Point For Every Year Of Mother's Life

POSTED: 9:50 pm EDT April 23, 2011
UPDATED: 9:56 pm EDT April 23, 2011

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NEW ORLEANS -- A New Hampshire teenager has a special bond with NBA star point guard Chris Paul, who plays for the New Orleans Hornets.Paul gave high school basketball player Brad Rhoades, 14, and his family the all-star treatment during Friday night's playoffs game.Rhoades' mother, Kristen Rhoades, died on Feb. 27 in a snowmobile accident. She was 46 years old.It was on the hardwood that Rhoades said he wanted to pay tribute to his mom, scoring a point for every year of her life.It's a story that made headlines this year, just as it did nine years ago when North Carolina high school standout Paul did the same in honor of his grandfather who had been killed. Paul scored 61 points."It's really inspirational that me and Chris have the same story and share a mutual bond," Rhoades said.A mutual bond that made Paul decide to fly in the father and son to his playoffs game -- complete with autographed sneakers, jersey, posters, bobble head dolls and other Hornets items.Rhoades said his father only told him Thursday night that Paul has invited them to the game and will be flying them into New Orleans."I started crying happy tears (because) I was so excited," Rhoades said.Rhoades said he and his father had some of the best seats in the house, and he even got to warm up on the court and have the chance to hang out with Paul before the game.The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for the teen, and he said it was the memory of his life."I'm an ordinary kid out of small little Epsom. I never thought I would be anywhere near here (New Orleans Arena)," Rhoades said.Rhoades, who normally roots for the Boston Celtics, said he felt happy cheering for the Hornets during the game.