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Former Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire says he would avoid a gay teammate

Posted at 11:09 AM, Mar 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-01 19:35:41-05

Former Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire has told an Israeli sports website he would avoid a gay teammate.

Of a gay teammate, Stoudemire tells Walla Sport, "I'm going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner.

"And I'm going to drive -- take a different route to the gym," he added.

When asked if he was joking, he said "there's always a truth within a joke."

Stoudemire now plays for a Jerusalem team in the Israeli Premier League.

When he was with the Knicks in 2012, Stoudemire was fined $50,000 by the NBA after he tweeted a gay slur at a fan. He apologized for that incident in a statement, saying he's "a huge supporter of civil rights for all people."

Stoudemire, 34, was selected by the Suns with the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and was named the NBA's 2003 Rookie of the Year. He played eight seasons in Phoenix and is among the team's all-time leaders in points, rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage. He was a six-time NBA All-Star selection.