Stoudemire signs deal to play for China’s Fujian

Six-time NBA All-Star forward Amar’e Stoudemire has signed a deal to play for Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association this season, the team announced.

The announcement came approximately a week after Stoudemire departed from the United States for Hong Kong, where he was greeted by team officials and then worked out for a few days. He has since arrived in Fujian to join the rest of the team for training and media day activities. At the media day photo shoot, Stoudemire was seen posing with traditional Chinese cultural elements.

Stoudemire is the latest notable NBA player who has signed to play in China this season, joining Lance Stephenson and Jeremy Lin, who will play for Liaoning and Beijing, respectively, this year. With the addition of Stoudemire, Fujian has now completed its roster grade for the upcoming new season. Prior to this, they had also acquired former NBA guards Ty Lawson and Erick Green.

Stoudemire, 36, was the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in the 846 games he played in the league.

Since his departure from the NBA, Stoudemire has played in the Big3 League and had a stint with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, where he was granted citizenship.