Why Chris Paul’s Most Powerful Assist Might Be a Film

Photo courtesy of Chris Paul

By Llerraj Esuod

From the Court to the Culture

This summer, NBA legend Chris Paul heads to Miami Beach for the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF), not to play against the Miami Heat but to discuss his entry into storytelling. The 12-time All-Star and former National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) president will appear in a highly anticipated “Pro Hollywood” session, offering the audience a peek into his expansion from athlete to media entrepreneur.

Known for his commanding leadership on the court, Paul is now building something lasting off it through Ohh Dipp!!! Productions, a full-service media company devoted to amplifying diverse voices and untold stories.

Shifting the Playbook

The session promises a candid conversation about his shift from calling plays in the NBA to shaping narratives behind the camera. It’s a natural next step for someone who has long balanced elite performance with social impact. Paul is expanding his content portfolio and telling purposeful stories that redefine what it means to be heard beyond the hardwood.

Building Ohh Dipp!!! Productions

Founded in 2017 by Chris Paul, Ohh Dipp!!! Productions takes its name from a phrase he coined during a fast break—an exclamation of excitement and surprise. Behind the playful name lies a serious mission to produce high-quality, culturally sonorous storytelling with impact and longevity.

A Mission Rooted in Representation

“Our company reflects who we are as people... Passionate, Professional, and Prideful,” reads the company’s guiding mantra. With a focus on equity, inclusion, and heritage media, Ohh Dipp!!! continues to expand its footprint with scripted features, docuseries, and digital projects. Paul is clear—this isn’t a vanity venture. It’s a deliberate platform built to elevate stories that matter.

In past interviews, Paul has emphasized the company’s broad vision. “We’re doing all different types of projects across a wide spectrum,” he said. That includes sports, education, culture, and social justice. Each idea is rooted in a belief that content should do more than entertain. It should enlighten, embolden, and inspire.

Producing With Purpose

Among Ohh Dipp!!!’s most acclaimed projects is Why Not Us, a powerful ESPN+ docuseries that explores life at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Whether following North Carolina Central University’s basketball team or spotlighting HBCU dance lines and football programs, each episode uplifts legacy, creativity, and resilience. “These schools do more with less,” Paul said. “It’s important we celebrate what makes them special.”

Documenting Athlete Activism

The company also played a critical role in Blackballed, a searing docuseries about the fallout from then-Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks. Paul, who experienced that controversy firsthand as a team leader and executive producer of the film, hailed it as a new era of athlete activism.

That momentum continued with The Day Sports Stood Still on HBO, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The documentary chronicled the sudden shutdown of professional sports during the onset of the pandemic and the racial justice protests that followed. As NBPA president, Paul was at the center of the movement. His film offered an intimate glimpse into how athletes became organizers using their platforms to spark collective action.

A New Script, A New Lane

Now, Paul has stepped into scripted filmmaking with American Sole, a feature about the sneaker resale market. Co-produced with Kevin Hart and starring Pete Davidson, the film blends hustle, humor, and cultural commentary. For Paul, whose love of sneakers is well known, it’s a passion project with real commercial and creative resonance.

More Than Just a Producer

What distinguishes Paul from many athletes-turned-producers is intentionality. Whether collaborating on a project with Ava DuVernay or launching original work through his company, he consistently seeks out stories with meaning and significance. “We’re always looking for stories that are more than just entertainment,” he said. That focus positions Ohh Dipp!!! as a vital and innovative force in today’s media ecosystem.

Storytelling as Strategy

At ABFF, Paul will elaborate on this vision. He believes storytelling, like sports, can reinvigorate communities, ignite change, and preserve cultural identity. His appearance reflects a broader shift in the industry. Athletes are no longer merely endorsing content—they’re producing it, owning it, and reshaping the narratives Black audiences see.

Leading By Lifting

He continues to show that leadership isn’t confined to box scores or highlight reels. As a producer, he’s using his influence to champion underrepresented voices, reject harmful stereotypes, and promote stories that expand the conversation. This NBA legacy isn’t just about the media. It’s about meaning.

A Masterclass in Cultural Power

For fans, filmmakers, and culture shapers alike, Paul’s ABFF session promises to be more than a celebrity panel. It will serve as a masterclass in reinvention, representation, and the storytelling power of purpose. And just like his most iconic assists on the court, Paul’s latest work is about elevation—spotlighting the stories that matter most and reimagining what it truly means to lead.