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Amar’e Stoudemire - Click to see all titles by this author.

Perseverance - Continue to work hard and persist toward the goal even when obstacles and difficulties arise.

Amar’e Stoudemire’s birthday is on November 16th.

Well-respected six-time NBA All-Star power forward-center Amar’e Stoudemire, the New York Knicks’ team captain, was born in Lake Wales, Florida. Growing up, he liked to skateboard and play basketball, baseball, and football with friends, but didn’t play organized basketball until he was 14 years old.

Amar’e had a challenging childhood: his father died when he was 12, his mother was not able to be home much, and he had to attend six different high schools. He attributes his ability to overcome early difficulties to his faith in God, as well as the support of such mentors as a policeman, an AAU squad coach, and a minister—all who helped guide him through a trying youth. Using the leadership, teamwork, discipline, and sports skills he acquired, Amar’e became the only high school player taken in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft, when he was picked up by the Phoenix Suns.

Amar’e’s career averages include 20.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. His nickname is “STAT,” for Standing Tall And Talented. STAT is also the name of the book series he has written, based on his childhood, that aims to inspire children to overcome obstacles in their lives. Asserting that “Kids need to enjoy reading and not see it as a chore,” Amar’e also says the STAT series is intended to impart “messages about the responsibility of working and doing homework and learning to be leaders, … and be a positive influence.”

In addition to being a basketball star and author, Amar’e is an actor, producer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. Amar’e created the Amar’e Stoudemire Foundation, a youth outreach program designed to creatively inspire and help at-risk youth to succeed, with the goal of eradicating poverty through education. The ASF website is www.amarestoudemire.com.

Amar’e and his wife, Alexis, have four children.

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