Amar’e Stoudemire is ending his NBA career with the Knicks.
The six-time All-Star announced his retirement Tuesday after signing a one-day contract to return to the Knicks, where he spent parts of five seasons.
“I want to thank Mr. Dolan, Phil and Steve for signing me so that I can officially retire as a New York Knick,” Stoudemire said in a statement to NBA.com. “I came to New York in 2010 to help revitalize this franchise and we did just that. Carmelo , Phil and Steve have continued this quest, and with this year’s acquisitions, the team looks playoff-bound once again.”
Stoudemire entered the league with the Suns as the No. 9 pick in the 2002 NBA draft, spending eight seasons in Phoenix before signing with the Knicks in the summer of 2010.
“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,” Stoudemire said in the statement.
Stoudemire was waived by the team in February 2015 after an injury plagued tenure in New York. He signed with the Mavericks that month and played his final season with the Miami Heat. In 14 professional seasons, the Florida native averaged 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
..... - Newsday