Chris Paul says he got goosebumps when he learned Wake Forest wanted to retire his jersey No. 3.

The school honored the point guard and NBA All-Star game MVP during halftime of the Maryland-Wake Forest game Saturday.

During a pregame news conference, the Winston-Salem native repeatedly referred to the city and campus as "home" and said he keeps a 336 phone number - this city's area code. He says the honor is more special to him "because it's home."

His banner was unfurled next to his college coach's - the late Skip Prosser. They led the Demon Deacons to their first No. 1 ranking in 2004-05. Paul left school after two seasons and was the NBA's rookie of the year in 2006 with New Orleans.