NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) — It’s not goodbye, just see you later.
After retiring from the NBA on July 26, Amare Stoudemire signed a two-year contract Monday to play for Israeli team Hapoel Jerusalem.
Stoudemire said the decision was very emotional for him and his family. The six-time NBA All-Star has visited Jerusalem on multiple occasions, but said getting the opportunity to play in Jerusalem will be a “spiritual journey.”
Shortly after signing a five-year, $100 million contract with the New York Knicks in the summer of 2010, Stoudemire traveled to Israel to explore what he believed might be “Hebrew roots” through his mother, Carrie.