Amar’e Stoudemire says skipping college was the most difficult choice of his life: NBA News
New York Knicks star power forward Amar’e Stoudemire recently revealed the hardest decision of his life.
While talking to New York Times, the 28-year-old Stoudemire declared that skipping college and making himself available for the NBA draft back in 2002 was the most difficult choice, he ever made in his life. For many NBA players, taking classes and studying might not be on the high list of priorities, however Stoudemire had a tough time deciding whether to skip college or not.
“Deciding to go to the N.B.A. and pass on being a part of what University of Memphis had to offer was the hardest choice I have made in my life. I am not sure if I’ll get my degree or not. I have taken college classes during my summers off, but it’s tough to fit traditional learning into my work schedule so I take classes on the Internet when I can. And I am very focused on continuing to learn new things.” Amare Stoudemire said.
After playing for two years at the high School-level - a stint during which Amare Stoudemire was named as the Most Valuable player (MVP) of the Nike Summer League - the muscular power forward committed to play for the University of Memphis. However, Stoudemire never attended college and entered the NBA Draft instead in 2002, becoming one of the very few stars in NBA who joined the league right after school.
Phoenix Suns drafted Stoudemire as the 9th overall first round pick and Amare showcased the extent of his abilities right from the first NBA season, he played in the Phoenix Suns uniform. In the 2002-2003 season, Stoudemire averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebound per game, nabbing the NBA rookie of the year award.
After spending eight dominating seasons in Suns, where he earned the reputation of a constant double-double threat, the big man opted out of his contract and headed to the Madison Square Garden last year. The New York Knicks reached new heights with Stoudemire last season and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. In the postseason, Stoudemire got injured and his absence was off the main reason, the Knicks were swept out by the mighty Boston Celtics in the first round.
Nevertheless, Amare is enjoying a fabulous career in NBA with a career average of 21.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Amare Stoudemire believes that education and knowledge is the most important part of the life and needs to be given a suitable time, a thing which he has ensured for his kids.
“With my children, we talk a lot about what it means to have an education and what they want to be when they grow up.”
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