Joe Bofunda in the "Blake" Basket League Calendar
A new year and a new crush object. French homostyle glossy Blake debuts the Basket League Calendar, a new basketball-themed calendar of nudes (PDF) photographed by Jean Quelquejeu. One of the new(ish) models featured in the calendar is London- and Paris-based Joe Bofunda. The six foot, 179 pound model has so much to share that he was selected for March and August. Totally lovin' the contrast and framing (and day-glo Converse All-Stars) in this photo.
Much more Joe after the jump.
Joe Bofunda has been lensed by a number of very good photographers including Paris-based Ernest Collins, the American expatriate (and former Chicago hair salon owner) who has become the continent's leading photographer of black male models. Joe's virtual portfolio at ModelMayhem.
Not sure is that tattoo on Joe's right shoulder in Arabic or Hebrew, it looks like the former. If anyone can read either language, would love to hear a translation.
More and larger photos at Charmants.
Download the calendar in PDF.
A very nice start to a Monday morning. Joe is not to small and not too big, not too muscular and not too thin. He's just right, as Goldilocks would say.
Posted by: Kyle Stern | 12 January 2009 at 07:35
This is really a handsome young man.
Posted by: Trevor | 12 January 2009 at 07:37
What is most appealing about young Joe is his variety of looks. The portfolio showcases a number of looks ... braids, curly fro, shaven head etc ... and he looks different in each one. Sexy, masculine and chic, definitely not thug or thug wannabe.
Oh and I believe that is Arabic btw.
Posted by: D. Askew | 12 January 2009 at 07:42
Definitely a nice wake-up.
I'm not a fan of the muscle boys, this is very nice. Joe has a wonderful portfolio, very nice find, I like :0
Posted by: Evan | 12 January 2009 at 07:50
Yeah I'd hit that
Posted by: jay jay | 12 January 2009 at 07:50
Is this model American, British or French?
Posted by: Ricky | 12 January 2009 at 08:02
The framing and composition are excellent. The neo-classical posing is reminiscent of Grecian sculpture. This is a beautiful calendar and yes and wonderful way to start a Monday. Thanks Rod.
Posted by: O-Town | 12 January 2009 at 08:11
Eh.
Not really impressed.
I'd rather see shirtless Iverson or Lebron. Or some more Thugboys. Some real men, nahmean?
Posted by: I Aim to Please | 12 January 2009 at 08:15
Do "real men" beat up and choke the mother of their children? 'Cuz that is what gazillionaire basketball player Allen Iverson was arrested for doing.
Not a real man if you ask me. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: Ricky | 12 January 2009 at 08:24
Bootiful, just bootiful. His but is rounder than that ball. Absoulutely bootiful. Thanks Rod. I needed this after a very bad weekend.
Posted by: gurlene | 12 January 2009 at 09:29
I have had the great pleasure of working with Joé in London. He's a really cool guy and a pleasure to shoot.
You can see my efforts here:
http://urbanshotz.blogspot.com/2008/08/jo.html
and here:
http://urbanshotz.blogspot.com/2008/08/jo-et-junior.html
The other model is his cousin Junior, also from France.
Posted by: Andy | 12 January 2009 at 13:16
Hey Rod, What a narrow waist, very hot! Can't read the tattoo, but it's definitely in Hebrew, not Arabic. The letters look like K-L K-D-I-O-T. Any Hebrew speakers out there?
Posted by: Mark | 12 January 2009 at 17:52