Photo of young Tim Duncan, Chris Paul featured by SI Vault

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Tuesday, the Sports Illustrated Vault released a throwback picture featuring a young Tim Duncan and an adolescent Chris Paul.

Duncan attended Wake Forest from 1993-1997, Paul from 2003-2005.

Paul is nine years Duncan's junior, and you can tell from the picture that the kid who would one day be known as "CP3" is years away from claiming that moniker.

Remarkably — or not, given what we now know about Duncan's Wolverine-like aging process — Timmy still looks essentially the same, save for spots of gray he's developed in recent years.

Chris Paul grew up in Clemens, North Carolina, roughly 20 minutes away from the Wake Forest campus.

We don't know the full story behind the photo, but who knows, maybe a young Paul sneaked over to hoop with the big man on campus?

Knowing Paul's tenacity and competitive drive, it wouldn't be too shocking.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, left, hugs Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul after the Clippers won Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 111-109. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) less San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, left, hugs Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul after the Clippers won Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Los Angeles. The ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Photo of young Tim Duncan, Chris Paul featured by SI Vault 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

All these years later the men remain friends, even sharing an emotional embrace after Paul sank a game-winner over Duncan in Game 7 of last year's playoffs.

nmoyle@express-news.net

Twitter: @NRMoyle