New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire promotes reading; Talks about the NBA lockout and back injury
Amar’e Stoudemire, who led the New York Knicks to their first playoffs appearance in seven years, recently went to the Polo Grounds Community Centre in upper Manhattan to promote studying, reading and staying in school.
The gathering was organized by Nike, in collaboration with Scholastic and the New York City Department of Youth Community Development and the crowd included both students and parents, who looked eager to listen to the New York
Knicks dynamic power forward.
Addressing a gathering of about 50 youngsters, who were all part of the non-profit Children’s Village which oversees the Polo Grounds CC, Stoudemire said,
“It’s important to take school seriously. When I was in school, I didn’t take reading seriously,” but “Now I do.”
In order to prove his dedication towards the cause, Stoudemire showed the audience a tattoo on his arm that he got almost year and half ago: READ. “All of my tattoos inspire me,” he told the viewers. “This one is very important.”
Stoudemire spoke for 30 minutes with the kids and promised children that the boy and girl, who will get best grades in the next school semester, will be taken for a shopping extravaganza at Nike town.
Stoudemire also said that, “If I wasn’t a basketball player I’d be a teacher. Listen to your teachers, listen to your parents. Don’t be afraid to be smart.”
Besides preaching the kids, Amar’e also answered the questions that were thrown at him regarding his fitness, lockout and future plans. In reply to his fitness question Amar’e told that his back is feeling better now and soon he
will gain 100 percent game fitness.
Amar’e said, “I feel great. I’ve had some rest and relaxation. Now I’m ready to work out and get ready for the season.”
When Stoudemire was inquired how he sees next National Basketball Association season, he replied, it will soon end
“sooner rather than later. It’s been frustrating not being able to keep in touch with the coaches, not being able to use the [Knicks' training] facilities.”
Stoudemire is one of the few NBA players, who have so far no plans to join an international team during this lockout, as he is still optimistic about it. During this injury break, the devastating forward is planning “to come back
with a whole new arsenal.”
However, if the lockout wipes out the training camps that take place before the start of the regular NBA season then, Stoudemire is planning to gather his few team-mates in Florida, where they will arrange workout. However, he
hoped that the lockout will end soon.
In the mean time, Amar’e had lot of other activities to keep him busy. One such activity is promotion of women’s sportswear that he has started in collaboration with designer Rachel Roy.
Tags: