Amar'e Stoudemire: Leaving the NBA for Israel is 'a dream come true'

Amar'e Stoudemire could have played in the NBA next season -- at least, according to Amar'e Stoudemire. Instead, the former All-Star decided to chase a dream in Israel.

After announcing his retirement last week, Stoudemire signed a deal with Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend. And on Monday, Stoudemire, a part-owner of the team, explained his decision.  

via New York Post:

On the surface, it's almost laughable. What basketball player would dream of playing in Israel while he could still get paid in the NBA?

For Stoudemire, however, this is bigger than basketball. He has long considered himself "culturally Jewish," a belief he has explored through repeated trips to Israel. That cultural perspective played a big part in Stoudemire purchasing a stake in Hapoel Jerusalem.

As far back as 2015, Stoudemire talked openly about the idea of becoming an Israeli citizen and finishing his basketball career overseas. And according to Stoudemire, that's why he signed a two-year deal with his newest club. He has no intentions of uprooting his family for just one year, or even coming back to the NBA should a championship contender decide it needs Stoudemire's services. Instead, the Stoudemire family will look to plant new roots in Israel.

Stoudemire retired after 14 seasons in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. He started in 36 games for Miami in 2015-16, averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. Stoudemire, who retired after signing a one-day deal with the Knicks, expressed some frustrations that he wasn't able to call it quits as a member of the Suns.

As for the Knicks, Stoudemire offered new point guard Derrick Rose one piece of advice: put basketball ahead of everything else that the city might offer as temptation. Avoiding baths in red wine would be a good start.