Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen speaking to Jesus Trevino, an admirer of Valentine’s work, while painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen speaking to Jesus Trevino, an admirer of Valentine’s work, while painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

Welcome to the 210, CP3. Hope you like the giant greeting card.

Future Hall of Famer and new Spurs point guard Chris Paul just got the puro mural treatment from San Antonio street artist Colton Valentine, who was putting the finishing touches on his work of wall art Wednesday near the corner of San Pedro Avenue and West Cypress Street.

The mural features Paul in his new signature Spurs black jersey, driving the ball against a backdrop of the classic Spurs “Fiesta” colors. The space previously showcased Valentine’s ode to the Edgar haircut, which made news in May amidst backlash to an anti-Edgar bar owner.

But as much as Valentine likes Paul’s game on the court, he noted he’s actually honoring the NBA veteran for his life smarts over hoop smarts.

“Chris Paul is actually an intellect. He’s not just a wow basketball player who’s got big stats,” Valentine said. “He’s very knowledgeable on just the life facts. I’ve always seen that over the years. And then finding out he’s coming here? Dude. It means a lot to me, not even for the basketball but for the intellectual, inspiring the kids side of it.”

That goes for Valentine, too. Earlier Wednesday, he posted a pic of the work in progress on Instagram with a shout-out to @urgrowitwemowit_, a local lawn service of young men he hired to clear all the brush from his portrait of Paul.

Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen collaborating with Anthony, a local artist who has helped on past murals with Valentine, while painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

Colton Valentine, a muralist known for his paintings of cultural and sports icons, was seen speaking to Jesus Trevino, an admirer of Valentine’s work, while painting a mural of Chris Paul, who was recently signed to the San Antonio Spurs, on the side of a building facing a gas station on San Pedro Avenue on July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

And if past is prologue when it comes to his murals, Paul may well stop by his spray-paint selfie the way Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Spurs star Victor Wembanyama swung by Valentine’s Wemby mural around the start of Wembanyama’s rookie season.

“I’m hoping he pulls up sure,” Valentine said before returning to the mural.