Six-time All-Star big man Amar’e Stoudemire is hanging up his NBA sneakers.
The New York Knicks announced on Tuesday that Stoudemire is retiring from the NBA after 14 seasons and is signing a one-day contract to do so as a Knick.
Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement as a player in the National Basketball Association today. #OAKAAK pic.twitter.com/GQyLRBFamV
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) July 26, 2016
Stoudemire played in New York for five years and enjoyed the best individual season of his career there in 2010-11. But chronic knee problems led to a drastic dip in production and his eventual release from the Knicks in 2015. Though the former No. 9 overall pick was decently effective in 52 appearances for the Miami Heat last season (including 36 starts), he will be calling it quits at just 33 years old.
One of the more underappreciated talents of his generation, Stoudemire also had a memorable first eight seasons of his career in Phoenix where his athleticism and physicality down low invigorated Mike D’Antoni’s revolutionary “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns. Stoudemire won Rookie of the Year in 2003 and was named to five All-NBA teams from 2005 to 2011.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports though that this may not be the end of the line entirely for Stoudemire, as he has interest in continuing to pursue a professional basketball career overseas.
Amar'e Stoudemire has lucrative interest from China, sources say, or could play in Israel for the team (Hapoel Jerusalem) he co-owns … BUT
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 26, 2016
But I'm told Stoudemire plans to take some time before deciding if he intends to play pro basketball abroad in the coming season or stay put
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 26, 2016
Whatever the future holds for Stoudemire, he can rest well knowing that he put together a memorable NBA career and is now free to devote all his efforts to more therapeutic soaks in vino and connecting with his Jewish roots.
