Recently retired NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire said that he feels healthy enough to still play as he opted to continue his basketball career in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem BC, a club he had co-owned since the summer of 2013.
Reuters reported that the 33-year-old veteran, who retired from the NBA last month after 14 years in the league, had "turned down offers to continue playing in the NBA to follow his 'Hebraic roots' and play in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem".
Stoudemire signed a two-year deal with the Israeli Premier League squad and is set to become the ballclub's "biggest basketball star" in its history, as per the NBA's official website.
"I felt like I didn't want to just wait around and be the last guy on the roster, I don't want to end my career that way," said Stoudemire. "I want to end my career on a good, healthy note so that's when I decided to retire (from the National Basketball Association)."
The six-time NBA All-Star admitted that three NBA clubs have offered him a roster spot for next season, but he does not want to play for a non-title contender and settle for an insignificant role.
He played for the Miami Heat last season, averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in only 14.7 minutes a night, the lowest numbers in his career including his rookie year. He felt underused by head coach Erik Spoelstra and so that may have led to him to call it quits with his NBA career.
Stoudemire said that he is feeling as healthy as ever and that he is grateful to still be able to play the game even though in another country.
"Now, to be able to continue to play the game of basketball in Jerusalem is an opportunity that can only happen once in someone's lifetime," he said.
Last season, Hapoel was unsuccessful in defending the Israeli championship they won the year before. The team was also eliminated early in the continental tournament and so Stoudemire is eager to help the team regain their rightful place in Europe.
"I don't play for fun. I play because I want to win," he said.
Stoudemire graced a basketball clinic in Israel on Monday along with fellow NBA players Rudy Gay, Chris Copeland, Beno Udrih, and Omri Casspi, the league's lone Israeli player at the moment.