Amar’e Stoudemire is more than embracing his Jewish roots. The New York Knicks forward was spotted wearing a yarmulke after Knicks shootaround on Saturday. ESPN New York’s Ian Begley reports that Stoudemire even told reporters “Shabbat Shalom” after meeting with them.
Not long after signing with the Knicks in 2010, Stoudemire made it known publicly that he had Jewish roots from his mother’s side of the family. He began connecting with his heritage over the next few years. He went on a trip to Israel, learned some Hebrew, experimented with a Kosher diet, and made plans to open a Hebrew school. Now he’s even wearing a yarmulke. But not just any yarmulke — the large, black velvet yarmulke is generally one worn by ultra-orthodox Jews.
In addition to the post-practice yarmulke, Stoudemire has also been spotted in the streets of New York wearing his yarmulke. Maybe this is what Amar’e was referring to when he said the Knicks had too much swag.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t show up to Al Abbas Chicken wearing the yarmulke, lest he wants this to happen:
H/T The Big Lead
Photos: Twitter/Ian Begley
