Amar’e Stoudemire has retired from the NBA after playing 14 seasons. The 33-year-old big man will retire as a New York Knick after signing a one-day contract with the team.
Known as STAT (short for Standing Tall and Talented), Amar’e was drafted straight out of high school by the Phoenix Suns in 2002 and won Rookie of the Year. Stoudemire played eight seasons with the Suns and was known as one of the more ferocious dunkers in the League. In the summer of 2010 he signed a 5-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks.
Saddled by knee and eye injuries throughout his career, STAT struggled to stay healthy in New York, but did make the All-Star team in 2011. He was let go from the Knicks in 2015 and finished his career with stints in Dallas and Miami.
Over 14 seasons Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points, 7.8 boards and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Knicks released the following statement:
NBA great Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement as a player in the National Basketball Association today, after signing with the New York Knickerbockers for his final contract in the league.
“I want to thank Mr. Dolan, Phil [Jackson] and Steve [Mills] for signing me so that I can officially retire as a New York Knick,” Stoudemire said. “I came to New York in 2010 to help revitalize this franchise and we did just that. Carmelo [Anthony], Phil and Steve have continued this quest, and with this year’s acquisitions, the team looks playoff-bound once again. Although my career has taken me to other places around the country, my heart had always remained in the Big Apple. Once a Knick, Always a Knick.”
“For parts of six years, Amar’e Stoudemire was the face of the New York Knicks franchise because of his excellence on the court and his dedication to our community and our fans across the world,” Mills said. “When Amar’e asked us to retire as a Knick, we were honored to oblige.”
In 14 NBA seasons, Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points (15,994 total) and 7.8 rebounds (6,632) in 846 career games for Phoenix, New York, Dallas and Miami. In addition to six NBA All-Star berths, he was named to five All-NBA Teams (two first teams, three second teams) and was the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year. In international competition, Stoudemire represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens and at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas. As a member the Knicks, Stoudemire averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 255 games and helped win the 2012-13 Atlantic Division title. From Nov. 28-Dec. 15, 2010, Stoudemire broke the franchise’s 48-year record held by Willie Naulls by scoring 30-plus-points in nine consecutive games.
A pillar of the New York-community and an important member of the organization, Stoudemire was a major participant in Garden of Dreams Foundation events and also organized an annual staff holiday meal to feed over 1,000 employees to show his appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
