Amar'e Stoudemire

Charlie Widdoes

In July 2010, on day one of free agent signings, the Knicks introduced power forward Amar’e Stoudemire, inked to a five-year, $99.7 million contract, from the floor of Madison Square Garden. “The Knicks are back!” bellowed the player whose father had nicknamed him STAT -- Standing Tall and Talented. Months later, in a December game against the Celtics, the team’s new All-Star set a franchise record with his ninth straight 30-point game.

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#NYK70 | 2010: Amar’e Stoudemire Officially Introduced as a Knick

Jonah Ballow

NEW YORK, July 26, 2016– NBA great Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement as a player in the National Basketball Association today, after signing with the New York Knickerbockers for his final contract in the league.

“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,” Stoudemire said. “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.”

 July 8, 2010 marked one of the most memorable introductions in team annals as the 6-10 perennial All-Star - and one of the most dominant forwards of his era - took the stage of Madison Square Garden in front of a nation-wide media contingent. Stoudemire’s arrival to the World’s Most Famous Arena catapulted the Knicks into contention and ended a post-season drought to start a three-year playoff run. In just his first season in the Orange and Blue, the Lake Wales, FL native became the first Knick to be voted a starter in the NBA All-Star Game since Patrick Ewing (1997) by garnering over 1.6 million fan votes. At the conclusion of the 2010-11 season, the NBA announced that Stoudemire’s No. 1 jersey had risen to fourth place on the NBA's list of most popular jerseys list.

“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,” Mills said. “When Amar’e asked us to retire as a Knick, we were honored to oblige.”

In 14 NBA seasons, Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points (15,994 total) and 7.8 rebounds (6,632) in 846 career games for Phoenix, New York, Dallas and Miami. In addition to six NBA All-Star berths, he was named to five All-NBA Teams (two first teams, three second teams) and was the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year. In international competition, Stoudemire represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens and at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas. As a member the Knicks, Stoudemire averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 255 games and helped win the 2012-13 Atlantic Division title. From Nov. 28-Dec. 15, 2010, Stoudemire broke the franchise’s 48-year record held by Willie Naulls by scoring 30-plus-points in nine consecutive games.

A pillar of the New York-community and an important member of the organization, Stoudemire was a major participant in Garden of Dreams Foundation events and also organized an annual staff holiday meal to feed over 1,000 employees to show his appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

amare-stoudemire-announces-retirement

Amar’e Stoudemire Announces Retirement

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This Date in Knicks History: May 12

NEW YORK, February 16, 2015 – New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has waived forward Amar’e Stoudemire.

“Amar’e’s period as a Knickerbocker has come to pass, at his request. His time here should be marked by recognizing his effort – it was 100-percent,” Jackson said. “As we move forward in structuring this team, we will look for players that exhibit his desire to win.”

Stoudemire, 6-10, 245-pounds, finished his Knicks career averaging 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 255 games over five seasons, while making three consecutive NBA Playoff appearances from 2011-13. His 4,411 total regular-season points ranks him 36th all-time. In 2011, Stoudemire represented New York at the NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first Knicks player to be named a starter for the Eastern Conference in 14 years, scoring 29 points.

“Everyone here at the Knicks organization appreciates the contribution Amar’e has made to the team and the entire City of New York over the past five seasons,” Knicks General Manager Steve Mills said. “We have developed a relationship that has translated into a long-term friendship, and it will continue through the remainder of his NBA career, and beyond.”

"I feel truly blessed to have been able to play for the incredible New York fans, Mr. Dolan, my coaches, teammates and the entire Knicks organization for the past five years,” Stoudemire said. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively on the court and in the community. Although I leave the Knicks with a heavy heart, I wish the organization the best of luck. Once a Knick always a Knick."

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Knicks Waive Stoudemire

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