Amar’e Stoudemire Signs Ceremonial Deal With Knicks, Announces Retirement

Amar’e Stoudemire has signed a ceremonial deal with the New York Knicks and announced his retirement from the NBA after 14 seasons.

Amar’e Stoudemire signed a contract with the New York Knicks on Tuesday, but it was not to return to the court with the team he spent more than four seasons with. Instead, Stoudemire announced his retirement from the NBA, and signed a ceremonial deal with the Knicks so that he could retire as a member of the organization.

Stoudemire is retiring after 14-years in the NBA, as he was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He would then go on to play with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat after spending the first eight seasons with the Suns.

While Stoudemire got his start with the Suns, his time with the Knicks is what he will truly cherish. In a statement released by the team Tuesday, Stoudemire made it clear that New York was where his heart truly lied, which is why he signed the ceremonial deal to retire with the organization.

"“I want to thank Mr. Dolan, Phil [Jackson] and Steve [Mills] for signing me so that I can officially retire as a New York Knick,.I came to New York in 2010 to help revitalize this franchise and we did just that. Carmelo [Anthony], Phil and Steve have continued this quest, and with this year’s acquisitions, the team looks playoff-bound once again. 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 played parts of five seasons with the Knicks, averaging 17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals in 29.1 minutes per game. He played in 255 games with the Knicks, starting 160 of those games. But, his first season with the Knicks was a memorable one before injuries began to strike again and sap him of his athleticism and ability to stay on the court.

After signing a massive free agent deal with the Knicks in the summer of 2010, Stoudemire exclaimed that the Knicks were back. He was doing his part in making sure that was accurate, as he had a huge first season in The Big Apple.

More from New York Knicks

• New York Knicks Fall to Eighth After NBA Draft Lottery
• New York Knicks: Players to Draft in Worst-Case Lottery Scenario
• New York Knicks: Three Players Who Should Thrive Under Tom Thibodeau
• Is Devin Booker to the New York Knicks Realistic?
• New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau Officially Hired as Head Coach

Stoudemire would make the All-Star team during the 2010-11 season, as he averaged a career-high 25.3 points to go along with 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.

That was the peak of Stoudemire’s production with the Knicks, as it was downhill after that. Despite the shortcomings, Stoudemire was someone that the Knicks organization was happy to have.

“For parts of six years, Amar’e Stoudemire was the face of the New York Knicks franchise because of his excellence on the court and his dedication to our community and our fans across the world,” said general manager Steve Mills. “When Amar’e asked us to retire as a Knick, we were honored to oblige.”

For his career, Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. Stoudemire revolutionized the power forward spot with his athleticism, becoming one of the most dominant pick-and-roll players in the NBA as he finished at the rim with tenacity and could knock down mid-range jumpers.

Unfortunately, many people will remember him because of the numerous serious injuries that he suffered. But, Stoudemire was a lot more than that, as he was as hard working a person as you would find in the NBA, and would put the team ahead of himself and his ego.

Next: Is Amar'e Stoudemire One Of The Greatest Knicks Of All-Time?

Stoudemire said he was not thinking retirement earlier in the year when he was playing with the Heat, but things have obviously changed in the months since. A cold free agent market probably played a role in it, but Stoudemire seems content with his decision to announce his retirement with the Knicks.