Chris Paul shocked the world when ESPN Magazine dropped its Body Issue, featuring the NBA star completely nude. However, Paul admits he had no interest in posing for the magazine when it was initially brought to his attention.
In a recent interview with Daily Mail TV, Paul revealed his true feelings on the situation, admitting he was forced to take part in the “nerve-wracking” shoot by his wife.
The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard attended the premiere of The Game Changers last Tuesday alongside his wife, Jada Crawley, who smirked when he was asked about the nude photos.
“You know why she’s smiling? It’s because it was actually her idea,” Paul said. “When I was brought the opportunity to do it, I was like, ‘Man, no. I’m not doing that.’ And she was like, ‘No, you are. You’re gonna do it’.”
During a moment of reflection, Paul acknowledged it was an “eye-opening” experience that forced him out of his comfort zone as he was asked to play basketball completely naked.
“It definitely put me in a situation that I’ve never been in. I’m so excited that I did it because I mean, it’s one life,” he shared. “You’re absolutely naked. I have played a lot of basketball in my life, but that was the first time I hooped without no clothes on.”
However, his wife of seven years said it was “fun” to watch her husband and NBA All-Star transform his body and get into shape.
Paul, who is 34-years-old, committed to a plant-based diet to improve his health and physique. The shoot, however, gave him the chance to show off his incredibly toned frame while posing naked on the court.
Originally from North Carolina, Paul said, switching to a vegan diet after years of enjoying “southern home-cooked food and fried chicken” has dramatically changed his life. The change was so beneficial he even wanted to keep his new regimen to himself.
“I say all the time. In discovering this gem, I almost didn’t want to tell anyone else about it. It truly is a game-changer,” he shared.
