USA – Taurasi and Stoudemire bare all for ESPN’s Body Issue

BRISTOL, Connecticut – American basketball stars Diana Taurasi and Amar’e Stoudemire are showing they have nothing to hide by appearing naked in ESPN the Magazine’s 2010 ‘Body Issue’.
 
Taurasi, who helped the USA to a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic earlier this month, revealed a completely different side of her – as well as a tattoo – but said the photos shouldn’t change people’s perception of her.
 
“I am who I am whether I have clothes on or off. I’m still the same person,” the 2009 WNBA MVP explained.
 
After making headlines in the off season by leaving the Phoenix Suns to join the New York Knicks on a $100 million contract, Stoudemire admitted that appearing in his birthday suite was more nerve-wracking than taking a big shot to win a game.
 
“I was probably more nervous doing that than taking the final shot of the game,” he said.
 
And considering one of the poses he had to strike, that’s quite understandable. The five-time NBA All-Star can be seen jumping into a pool, holding a basketball in his right hand as if ready to shoot or dunk it while the other hand covers his private parts.
 
Taurasi and Stoudemire are the cover stars for the second annual Body Issue which comes out on Friday.

2008 Olympic Games gold medallist Dwight Howard and women’s tennis superstar Serena Williams did the honours in the 2009 inaugural edition.
 
USA soccer goalkeeper Tim Howard and Columbian golfer Camilo Villegas are among the other 38 athletes who feature in this year’s issue.
 
You can have a behind-the-scenes look at Body Issue’s photo shoot here.
 
FIBA