NBA hall of famer Amar’e Stoudemire begins new career as Florida police officer

Former NBA star and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Amar’e Stoudemire is trading the basketball court for a badge, embarking on a new career in law enforcement in South Florida.

What we know:

Stoudemire, a six-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2003 Rookie of the Year, recently graduated from Miami Dade College’s School of Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Dig deeper:

The college announced the achievement on social media, saying Stoudemire completed months of rigorous training and earned special recognition with the Harry “Coach” Everett Award for his contributions to the academy program.

Stoudemire is now set to join the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, serving a community where he once played professionally for the Miami Heat.

Big picture view:

According to the college, becoming a police officer was a childhood dream for Stoudemire, inspired in part by family members who served in law enforcement.

The backstory:

A Central Florida native, Stoudemire spent much of his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns before playing for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. His latest chapter takes him from competing on the basketball court to protecting and serving his community.

 

Phoenix SunsCrime and Public SafetyFloridaNews