Amar’e Stoudemire Signs Contract with Knicks, Then Announces Retirement

By Carlo Monzon
Amar'e Stoudemire
Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) blocks the shot by Miami Heat forward Amar'e Stoudemire (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena.  Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Amar'e Stoudemire made sure that he was still a member of the New York Knicks when he retired. That's why he signed a contract with the team just hours before he officially ended his career as a player in the NBA.

The legendary athlete first debuted in the league in 2002 after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns. Although this is the team where he spent the majority of his career in, he is more widely known as a player for the Knicks.

From 2010 to 2015, he played for the New York franchise before transferring to the Miami Heat last season.

But, now that he has reached the end of his career with the NBA, Stoudemire decided he wanted to still be part of the Knicks. He made this official by signing a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the team on July 26, just before he announced his retirement.

"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," he said in a statement according to ESPN. "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," he continued. "Although my career has taken me to other places around the country, my heart had always remained on the Big Apple. Once a Knick, always a Knick."

The Suns also released a statement congratulating Stoudemire's successful career in the NBA.

"The Phoenix Suns family congratulates Amar'e Stoudemire on a remarkable NBA career," the team said according to The Washington Post. "As the 2003 NBA rookie of the year and a five-time all-star during his time in Phoenix, Amar'e's eight seasons with out franchise provided some of the most exciting Suns basketball this city has ever seen."

It is not yet clear what Stoudemire plans to do now that he's retired from the NBA but there are rumors that he might in a different country. According to insiders, leagues in China and Israel have expressed interest in getting the 33-year-old player.

Given the fact that he's still young, there's a strong possibility that he might end up playing in a different region.

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories