Amar’e Stoudemire Could Return to the NBA
A legend of the game could be about to return to the NBA. 6-time NBA All Star Amar’E Stoudemire confirmed to ESPN that he’s contemplating a return to the United States’ top league.
Amar’e Stoudemire made the admission The Michael Kay Show on ESPN 98.7 FM. He said he was in great shape, remarking that he was training as if he was returning to the NBA.
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When pressed on whether he was contemplating an NBA comeback, Amar’e Stoudemire said “That would be realityâ€.
The 6-foot-10 forward center was named an All Star 6 times as well as being selected to two All-NBA teams. Stoudemire entered the NBA directly from high school in 2003, and he was named rookie of the year that season.
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The 35 year old will play with Tri State in Ice Cube’s Big3 league this summer. He will play alongside Jermaine O’Neal, Nate Robinson, Bonzi Wells, David Hawkins and Robert Hite.
Stoudemire’s NBA career spanned 14 seasons, with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. In that time, he averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in 846 career games.
He last played on an NBA court for the Miami Heat in the 2015 – 2016 season. He retired from the NBA in the 2016 offseason.
That wasn’t the end of his professional career, though. In 2017 he signed with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel. Stoudemire made 19 EuroCup appearances for Hapoel during the 2016-17 campaign. He averaged 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while playing 25.8 minutes per game.
It remains to be seen if Stoudemire will return to the NBA. There are a number of teams who would benefit from his temperament and experience. However, any team that signs him will be taking a risk considering his age and the year he spent away.
