Start spreading the news! It was announced on Tuesday, March 31, that former All Star big man Amar’e Stoudemire is entering the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Stoudemire also known as STAT (Standing Tall And Talented) while playing had a great career for both the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks before bouncing around the league prior to retirement.

He finished his career with a Rookie of the Year award, six All Star appearances, five All-NBA nods in a 846 game career.

With his explosive athleticism, powerful mid to low post game, and tenacity, he is remembered as a dominant force in this league.

And now, STAT will be standing tall in the hall!

While STAT played more years in Phoenix as well as having his jersey recently retired in the Mortgage Matchup Center, he will forever be a New York Knick. “Once A Knick, Always A Knick”.

He made his decision to come to New York in the summer before the 2010-11 NBA Season where he famously proclaimed: “THE KNICKS ARE BACK”. At the time, the Knicks made the playoffs once in their last nine seasons.

It was STAT, who took on the challenge of joining a losing team and a dysfunctional franchise in an unforgiving city. He tried his bet to attack that challenge with the same tenacity he played every game with.

However, his bodied failed him. As a Knick, he played just 255 games in five years in the orange and blue.

His best season in a Knick uniform came in his first when he averaged 25.3 points per game on 50.2% from the field, 8.2 rebounds per game, 1.9 blocks per game in 78 games. He lead their squad to their first winning record in ten years.

Eventually, he teamed up with Carmelo Anthony to make a push at the Larry O’Brien trophy. However, their team success never lived up to their Hall of Fame duo talent.

As a Gen Z baby, I became a fan just about the time Amar’e came to the Knicks. In fact, my Knicks fandom origin story starts with STAT.

I was in the fifth grade when I heard buddies of mine talking about a “buzzer beater” that was called off against the Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce lead Boston Celtics.

I never watched sports before that and to the 11 year old me, STAT was a hero. My first jersey was that orange and blue number one.

As an adult looking back there definitely moments I wish the big fella could redo like the infamous punching of the fire extinguisher vs the Miami Heat in the playoffs.

But, all that said… Amar’e Stoudemire will always be a beloved New York Knick and it is a well deserved nod into basketball immortality.