Amar’e Stoudemire is hanging up his jersey after 14 seasons in the NBA. And he’s retiring as a New York Knick. Deets inside….
After several highs and a few lows due to several injuries, NBA baller Amar’e Stoudemire is hanging up his jersey after 14 seasons. The power forward/center announced he’s retiring from the league as a New York Knick after signing a one-day deal with the organization yesterday.
“Although my career has taken me to other places around the country, my heart had always remained in the Big Apple,” Stoudemire said in a news release released by the team. “Once a Knick, Always a Knick.”
Amar’e signed with the Knicks in 2010 as a free agent and spent 4.5 years seasons with the team. Unfortunately, his career was derailed a bit has he suffered multiple injuries during his time on the Knicks. During the 2014-15 season, Amar’e signed with the Dallas Mavericks and then went on to play for the Miami Heat during the 2015-16 season.
It's obvious NYC holds a special place in his heart, but fans are wondering why he didn’t retire as a Phoenix Sun where he excelled the most.
His former teammate Carmelo Anthony congratulated him saying:
Congratulations to @Amareisreal on an incredible career @NYKnicks@NBApic.twitter.com/c3C3VmrjQl
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) July 26, 2016
The 6-foot-10 power forward/center was drafted as a ninth overall pick straight out of high school where he was honored as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year during the 2002-03 season. Five of his six All-Star selections came while he was playing for the Suns. And during his eight years on the team, the Suns reached the playoffs six times, including advancing to the Western Conference finals three times.
Drafted with the ninth overall pick straight out of high school to the Suns, Amar'e nabbed the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2002-03, and five of his six All-Star selections came while he was playing for the Suns.
Now, he can enjoy being a family man with his wife Alexis and their three children.
Photos: ESPN's IG/Knicks' IG
