The May issue of Vibe magazine features an article on NBA star Chris Paul and his gig as the official spokesperson for the United States Bowling Congress, the sport's national governing body as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee.

The New Orleans Hornets point guard says his love for the lanes goes back to his freshman year in college, when he and his brother were given bowling balls for Christmas by their parents.       

"We went to the bowling alley with my dad at the time. He was in a lot of leagues. But my sophomore year, me and my best friend [former Wake Forest University teammate] Justin Gray were bowling between classes.      

Paul isn't the only pro baller to spend huge chunks of free time at the bowling alley. Asked to rank himself against his bowling NBA colleagues, he says: "After me you got Gilbert Arenas, Dwight Howard, Julian Wright and Michael Redd."      

Chris Paul

The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native says bowling has helped to fine tune his hoop game.        

"It helps me with pressure," says Paul. "When I bowl against my brother, it's very competitive, and when you get down to those 9th and 10th frames, you really have to concentrate. Losing focus is the difference between a strike and a gutter ball."