Ten-year veteran Amar'e Stoudemire will suit up for Erie against the Armor on Friday at the MassMutual Center.
New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire will play for Erie on Friday against the Armor.
Say hello to 10-year NBA veteran Amar'e Stoudemire, who will join the Bayhawks from the New York Knicks on a rehab assignment.
Stoudemire could be the highest profile NBA star to work a D-League assignment. Former Boston Celtic Antoine Walker tried to make a comeback through the Idaho Stampede, but he had been out of the league for some time and it showed.
Stoudemire is a six-time NBA All-Star who has averaged 21.6 points and 8.8 rebounds in his career with Phoenix and New York. He has not played an NBA game this season after left knee surgery.
The Knicks have also assigned forwards Chris Copeland and James White to the Bayhawks, which amounts to a starting lineup made up of 60 percent NBA players.
The Bayhawks have won their last two games and are 4-4 while the Armor have dropped three straight and stand at 3-4.
UPDATE: Though the Knicks haven't ruled out the possibility of Stoudemire playing Friday in Springfield, it seems more likely he is being assigned to the D-League strictly for practice purposes.
With the Knicks scheduled for light practices this week due to their dense regular season schedule, Stoudemire will have a better chance to rehabilitate his knee with the Bayhawks.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson said the All-Star could return for the Knicks as early as this weekend. New York plays the Bulls Friday and the Timberwolves Sunday.
"I don't have a date in my mind when I'm going to return," Stoudemire told reporters. "I just want to keep improving."
HOSPITAL VISIT: The Armor made a visit to the BayState Children's Hospital on Monday. Working in conjuction with the K-Mart on Liberty Street, the Armor delivered toys door-to-door in the hosital.