New York Knicks Star Amar’e Stoudemire is Seeking Israeli Citizenship

New York Knicks star, Amar’e Stoudemire, has officially decided to take his connection to Judaism one step further. The power forward, who is currently in Israel as the assistant coach of the Canadian basketball squad, has applied for Israeli citizenship.

Stoudemire was raised with an awareness of his Jewish heritage, but over the past few years, his fascination for the religion and culture has grown substantially. At his wedding last year, he wore a kippah and prayer shawl, and during an interview with JTA last month, he shared that he regularly speaks with New York rabbis, studies Torah and observes High Holidays.

“I’m not a religious person, I’m more of a spiritual person, so I follow the rules of the Bible that coordinate with and connect with the Hebrew culture,” Stoudemire told JTA.

Stoudemire also became part owner of the Israeli basketball club Hapoel Jerusalem last month.

Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walter, confirmed with New York magazine that his client is currently touring Israel, and has applied for citizenship.

“He’s getting citizenship,” Walters said. ”He applied, and he’s there now.”