Stoudemire chose Jerusalem over non-playoff NBA teams

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Veteran basketball standout Amar'e Stoudemire on Monday said he turned down offers to continue playing in the NBA and decided to follow his "Hebraic roots" and play in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem.

A former first-round draft pick of the Phoenix Suns and six-time All Star, Stoudemire, 33, last week called time on his NBA career and signed a two-year contact with Jerusalem, saying he wanted to lead rather than come off the bench.

"I felt like I didn't want to just wait around and be the last guy on the roster, I don't want to end my career that way," Stoudemire told Reuters.

"I want to end my career on a good, healthy note so that's when I decided to retire (from the National…