Amar'e Stoudemire announced on July 26 that he will retire from the National Basketball Association (NBA), shortly after signing a one year contract with the New York Knicks.
Stoudemire explained that he signed the contract so that he could officially retire as a New York Knicks player. He first played his first eight years with the Phoenix Suns and five years with the New York Knicks. He spent his last two years with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
The New York Knicks posted an official press release through their official Twitter account. Amar'e thanked the Knicks officials for helping him retire as one of their own, according to ESPN.
He started playing with the New York team in 2010. Stoudemire recorded an average of score of 25 point and 8 rebounds in his first season with the Knicks. However, he incurred a series of injuries during his stay with New York.
Overall, Amar'e scored more than 18 points and almost 8 rebounds in the span of 846 games with various NBA teams. He received various accolades including the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003. Stoudemire was included in the NBA All Stars for six years and joined the All NBA first team twice.
Amar'e is only 33 years old when he announced his retirement. There are speculations that Stoudemire may be planning to continue his basketball career overseas. Sources claimed he may play with one of China's basketball team who can offer generous contracts to high caliber players. It is also possible that might play with an Israeli basketball team in which he is one of the owners.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gay finally spoke up regarding the rumors that the Sacramento Kings may possibly trade him, according to Chat Sports. He said that management should first make sure that the players are "happy with what they are doing." Gay said that this has not been the case.
