Amar'e Stoudemire gets Israeli residency, could get citizenship next

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announces that he has decided to grant former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire the right of residency in Israel, adding that his office will soon consider granting him citizenship.

Hapoel Jerusalem basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire seen during the match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem at the National Cup final game in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2017. (Flash90)

The American basketball player has been living and playing in Israel for several years and has begun a conversion process to Judaism.

Deri says he made his decision due to those factors and because of his “magnificent career and big contribution to Israeli basketball.”

“I heard and read about the athlete and am under the impression that he genuinely wants to make Israel his home, even after his career ends,” he says in a statement.