Former Suns F Amar’e Stoudemire retires after season in Israel

Amar’e Stoudemire’s post-NBA basketball career appears over after a single season. Unless he changes his mind, it appears the former Phoenix Suns All-Star is retiring for good.

Stoudemire announced with an Instagram post that he was retiring after he spent the 2016-17 season with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel and led the team to a Israeli Premier League title.

“I would like to thank Hapoel Jerusalem president, Ori Allon, and the entire Hapoel Jerusalem organization for giving me the opportunity to retire as a champion and doing it in the holiest of cities made even more special,” Stoudemire wrote.

Thank you @_winner_league @thejerusalem_post @sport_5 @jerusalembasket “When I decided last summer to retire from the NBA and join Hapoel Jerusalem, my intentions were to help this team, from this holy city win my first championship with the team and the second championship in franchise history. I am extremely proud that not only did we meet that goal, but that this achievement, capped arguably the best season this team has ever had. Reaching all three local finals, of which we won two, along with a eurocup semifinals appearance, personally winning the All Star Game MVP Award 🏆 and coming to within one game of the finals, made it a truly remarkable season. I am extremely proud that not only did we meet that goal, but that this achievement, capped arguably the best season this team has ever had. It has been a great ride for myself and my family. We enjoyed the city, it’s people, the holy places 🕎 and of course Hapoel fans🗣. Although I would have liked to return for another season, the team, coach and I could not find a role that I felt would allow me to meaningfully contribute in the way I have always been accustomed to play I feel it is my time now, to return to the shareholder’s position and help make this team even better. I would like to thank Hapoel Jerusalem president. Ori Allon, and the entire Hapoel Jerusalem organization for giving me the opportunity to retire as a champion 🏆and doing it in the holiest of cities made even more special. I wish my teammates, friends and fans another great season. Yalla Hapoel!!” #kingdombusiness #shabbtshalom

A post shared by (əˈ•mär•ray) Amar’e Stoudemire (@amareisreal) on Sep 1, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

As of June, Stoudemire was not sure whether he would retire, return to the NBA or stay with Hapoel Jerusalem, per the New York Post.

Stoudemire’s 14-year NBA career came to an end last season when he signed a ceremonial deal with the New York Knicks. The 2002 first-round pick by the Suns was a six-time All-Star and, according to John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station, wanted to play a final season in Phoenix in 2016-17, but the team was not interested.

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