Amar’e Stoudemire Announces Retirement After Signing With Knicks

Amar’e Stoudemire signed a contract with the New York Knicks on Tuesday, but it was not to return to the court with the team he spent more than four seasons with.

But he chose to leave the league as a member of the Knicks, the franchise that was mired in a lengthy playoff drought before he signed in 2010 and revitalized the franchise.

“Although my career has taken me to other places around the country, my heart had always remained in the Big Apple”, he said in a statement.

“I want to thank [owner James] Dolan, Phil [Jackson] and Steve [Mills] for signing me so that I can officially retire as a New York Knick”, the 33-year-old power forward said in a statement. He would then go on to play with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat after spending the first eight seasons with the Suns. Stoudemire had only one monster season in NY before being overcome by injuries. “Once a Knick, Always a Knick“.

Injuries hampered him over the rest of his tenure with the Knicks and the final years of his career. Most notably, he underwent knee surgery and sat out 53 games during the 2012-13 season, when the Knicks won 54 games-their first 50-win season since the year 2000-and Anthony finished third in MVP voting. His career accomplishments include: 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year, 6x NBA All-Star, First Team All-NBA (2007), and Olympics Bronze Medal victor in 2004.

Stoudemire made the All-Star team five times while with the Suns. Stoudemire made the All-Star Game five of his eight seasons as a Sun and played with Steve Nash who mentioned Stoudemire in his own retirement letter a year ago.

Reports suggest that although Stoudemire is retiring from the NBA, he may still play basketball professionally overseas.

When Amar’e Stoudemire signed with the Knicks in 2010, it was supposed to precede bigger things – both for NY and Stoudemire.

Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in 31 minutes per game over 846 career regular-season contests.