Amar'e Stoudemire rode off into the sunset in the offseason of 2016, retiring from the NBA after signing a final deal with the New York Knicks. But his last hooray with the Knicks may not have been his last run in the NBA.
The six-time NBA All-Star said Thursday in an interview on CBS Sports HQ's "Reiters Block" that he's in great shape and training for the Big 3 this summer, but his goal is to return to the NBA next season.
"I am, I am. I'm definitely planning on it," said Stoudemire after being asked about plans to join the NBA. "I've been training like you wouldn't believe, my body feels great, I had an amazing year last year playing overseas. I'm definitely going to continue working my way into top shape and see if a team is out there that needs my talents."
Stoudemire last played professionally in Israel in 2017, but is slated to play in Ice Cube's Big3 league this summer alongside Jermaine O'Neal, Nate Robinson, Bonzi Wells, David Hawkins and Robert Hite. Over the course of his 14 NBA seasons, he averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds playing for the Suns, Knicks, Mavericks and Heat.
Prior to Stoudemire's NBA retirement, he participated in 52 games during the 2015-16 season with the Miami Heat where he averaged 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in a career low 14.7 minutes per game.
