Amar’e Stoudemire spent years dominating the NBA hardwood as a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, quickly becoming a recognizable powerhouse for the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks. But when Stoudemire took the stage for his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last week, he made history — becoming the first Israeli citizen, and the first Jewish player in more than half a century, to take his place among basketball’s legends.

Following 14 seasons in the NBA, which included stops with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, Stoudemire made a move not uncommon for veterans looking to continue their playing careers by heading overseas. However, when Stoudemire moved to Israel in 2019, he went for more than just basketball. He converted to Judaism, acquired Israeli citizenship, adopted the Hebrew name Yehoshafat Ben Avraham and revealed that he had spent two decades secretly studying Torah.

In his Hall of Fame induction speech on Aug. 15, Stoudemire told a room full of basketball royalty about the value of ending his career in Israel.

“At the end of it all, I wanted to go back to a place where I had a special connection to,” Stoudemire said. “I was learning for 20 years prior — secretly, I was learning Torah. … I wanted to go to a place where I can live and also play. So after my last game in Miami, I took my talents overseas to Israel, and I played in Israel, and I played in Jerusalem.”

For Stoudemire, moving abroad also meant trading the luxury of the NBA for a more grounded, purpose-driven experience with his family. 

“I’m there with my family, and now go from flying on private planes to five-star hotels to now taking the bus,” he added. “Now we were playing in smaller arenas, but I was there for a deeper purpose and a reason, and my family and I truly enjoyed our time there.”

That shift in environment delivered on-court success as well. Suiting up for Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Stoudemire won Israeli League championships in 2017 and 2020, along with a Finals MVP award. 

“I was able to win my first championship in Jerusalem, and then I was able to now go back from my last game as a player to Maccabi Tel Aviv, and lived in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea, living the dream,” Stoudemire said. “It was great. It was beautiful. I had a great time, and I finished my career with a championship and a finals MVP.”