Former All-Star Stoudemire begins new chapter in Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) — Recently retired NBA All-Star Amare Stoudemire insists he has plenty of basketball left in him.

Arriving in what he called “my favorite city in the world” for a new chapter as a player for Hapoel Jerusalem, Stoudemire says he came to Israel to win – and to continue a spiritual journal to trace his Hebrew roots.

Hosting some 140 Jewish and Arab kids at his basketball peace camp on Monday, Stoudemire said he didn’t come to the Holy Land just for “fun” but to pursue the championship that eluded him during his 14-year NBA career.

He said he had offers to keep playing from at least three NBA teams – which he didn’t name – but since none of them was a legitimate title contender “I decided to retire and bring my talents over to Israel.”

“To be able to continue to play the game of basketball in Jerusalem is an opportunity that can only happen once in someone’s lifetime and, for me and my family, we want to take advantage of this opportunity while I still have good health,” Stoudemire said at a Jerusalem practice facility. “The most important thing for me right now is to try and create a winning atmosphere around Hapoel Jerusalem.”

The startling move by the six-time All-Star instantly provides the Israeli league with the biggest basketball star it has ever had.

…

continue reading in source www.nba.com