COMMON TURNED TO WADE AND DAVIS FOR JUST WRIGHT ROLE

Rapper/actor Common has his basketball star pals Baron Davis and Dwayne Wade to thank for helping him perfect his role as a sportsman in new movie Just Wright after turning to them for help and advice.

The hip-hop star plays Scott McKnight in the romantic comedy, about a top NBA player who falls for his physiotherapist, played by Queen Latifah, as she nurses him back from injury.

Common had to stick to a healthy diet and adopt an intense exercise regime to tone up for the part - but he admits he developed most of his mannerisms and moves on the court from the professionals themselves.

He says, "I'm friends with a few NBA stars so I called them up. Baron Davis, I shadowed him. Dwyane Wade, I talked to him. I took whatever elements I could for Scott McKnight."