Growing up on Saginaw's east side, he attended Heavenrich Elementary along with older siblings Willie and Patricia, and younger brother Robert.

It was inside the garage where Paul developed his sweet left-handed shooting touch, spending countless hours swishing a volleyball through the makeshift rim.

Next he attended Central Junior High School and starred as a scorer, leading the eighth and ninth grade teams to city championships.

Growing to 6’5, he stood out with the Saginaw High School varsity team in his junior and senior years, earning All-Saginaw Valley League Honors.

After deciding to attend Northern Illinois university in the fall of 1975, Paul would blossom into one of the finest shooters in the nation.