A former NBA superstar is coming to Israel to play for Hapoel Jerusalem next season.
Center Amare Stoudemire signed a two-year contract with the reds, and will hope to give them a big boost toward their local and European competition season.
Stoudemire joined the NBA straight out of high school 14 years ago - before new rules prohibited it - picked number 9 in the 2002 draft by the Phoenix Suns.
He would go on to star for the Suns, being named Rookie of the Year, going to the All-Star game 6 times, being picked for the All-NBA team 5 times, while playing for the Suns and the New York Knicks in a later 5-year stint.
Stoudemire quickly became known for his astonishing athleticism and explosiveness, fitting in perfectly with the Suns fast-paced "7 seconds or less" offense.
His glory years came for the Suns, where he was consistently one of the best players on what is considered by many to be the greatest team ever to not win a championship, as the Suns repeatedly fielded excellent and entertaining teams that fell just short of winning it all.
Stoudemire played for the Miami Heat last season, starting 38 out of 61 games.
He averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for his NBA career, making him probably the best foreign player to ever come play basketball in Israel.
Hapoel Jerusalem owner Ori Allon said after the signing: "We're happy that a player of Amare's stature is coming to play for our team.
"Amare rejected several offers from NBA teams this summer so that he could come play for Jerusalem over the next two years, and that's an important statement. A player of his stature joining our team enhances our status in Israeli and European basketball."
Stoudemire himself told media after the signing: "I'm greatly looking forward to playing for Hapoel Jerusalem and helping the team compete for championships. My family and I are excited for the new chapter in our lives, in Israel, a country I've simply fallen in love with."
Jerusalem coach Simone Pianigiani spoke with Stoudemire several times before he joined and also addressed the media on the occasion, saying that "the thing that most impressed me in the conversations we had, was Amare's intense desire to come play for Hapoel Jerusalem. Naturally his vast experience will help us greatly. I'm sure that his presence will impact our season very positively and I'm looking forward to it."
Stoudemire, who claims Jewish ancestry, was a part owner of the club up until now, and will sell his share to Ori Allon, at least for the time being while he's playing for the team, with the possibility of buying his share back after his career is over.