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Report: Stoudemire slated to play in Israel

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

Days after hanging up his rec-specs following a 15-year NBA career, Amar'e Stoudemire has scratched a basketball itch, reportedly agreeing to join Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem.

Stoudemire, 33, is part of an ownership group that bought a 90 percent share of the team in 2013, and since then, the Ligat HaAl side has emerged as one of the league's better clubs.

Related: Stoudemire retires after signing 1-day contract with Knicks

The six-time NBA All-Star's decision to play in Israel isn't much of a surprise when paired with past comments and his exploration of Judaism in recent years.

"I have been aware since my youth that I am a Hebrew through my mother, and that is something that has played a subtle but important role in my development," Stoudemire conceded in 2010.

That notion, coupled with sentiments from two years ago, laid the foundation for Stoudemire's move to Israel.

"The future is unknown and so if I have an opportunity to (play in Israel) and I'm still in great health, it would be great," Stoudemire said in 2014.

Stoudemire is scheduled to be in Israel next week as part of a joint charity campaign with Kings forward Omri Cassipi and NBA Cares, with the Jerusalem Post reporting Hapoel Jerusalem will officially announce the move then.

STAT also received offers from non-playoff teams in the NBA, as his agent told ESPN's Ian Begley, but he only wanted to play for a contender.

Far from the post presence he once was, Stoudemire started 36 games for the Miami Heat last season. Statistically, it was the worst season of his career since being drafted ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2002 NBA Draft.

The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest in 2015-16 - well below his career standard of 18.9 and 7.8.

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