In preparation for Friday's photo shoot with GQ magazine, the agent for Timberwolves guard Wally Szczerbiak was given one instruction:

"All they told us was, 'Have him bring some shorts,' '' Gary Wichard said, chuckling. (After all, the subject for the May issue is "Guys with Great Bodies.'')

So continues the career of Szczerbiak, a first-time all-star his teammates call "World".

So continues the career of Szczerbiak, a budding endorsement star his agent calls "The Tom Cruise of the NBA."

"Not only does he look great, but now he's one of the elite players because he's in the All-Star Game,'' Wichard said. "That enhances the marketing side of Wally.''

Szczerbiak, 24 and in his third season with the Wolves, is guaranteed $10,000 for playing in Sunday's game at First Union Center, and $20,000 if his Western Conference team wins.

But being an all-star likely will boost his riches off the court, as well, marketing experts say. Oh, they aren't saying he will become a national phenomenon overnight. Tom George, former senior vice president at the sports agency Octagon and athletics director at American University, said for Szczerbiak to do that, his team would need to make the NBA Finals and he must play on several all-star teams or gain some sort of fame off the court.