How do you get people to pay attention to a sport that no one watches? Why you put your star player on the cover of a magazine..nude.

Diana Taurasi, WNBA player will appear nude on the cover of ESPN’s anual ‘Body Issue.

Taurasi will be one of 40 athletes to appear partially nude in the magazine.

The MVP of the 2009 season says that she was nervous when it came to getting nude for for the cover but says it doesn’t change who she is.

“I am who I am — whether I have clothes on or off. I’m still the same person,” she says.

“Doing the shoot was something new and I had fun with it,” said Taurasi.

“For me, doing this was about facing the challenge and celebrating everything all of our bodies have been through and done. Cheryl, the photographer, was great to work with and hopefully, we came up with something interesting and maybe even inspiring.”

The Phoenix Mercury star is considered by many, to be the best female basketball player in the world.

“Diana’s feature in the magazine will expand people’s perceptions of her — and that was our aim. Every woman is multi-dimensional and Diana’s strength isn’t constrained to her undeniable athletic resume. Her photos are fearless and beautiful and the shoot was a challenge that she embraced,” said her agent, Lindsay Kagawa of Wasserman Media Group.

ESPN Magazine’s ‘Body Issue’ hits news stands Friday October 8th.