Amar’e Stoudemire had his family by his side as he officially took his place in basketball history.
The former NBA star headlined the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during Saturday night’s enshrinement ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
During his speech, Stoudemire reflected on a career that took him from the Phoenix Suns to the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat before he eventually played overseas. But when looking back on his journey, the six-time NBA All-Star made it clear that his six children were at the heart of it.
“You know, my children, Ray, Amari, Asada, Elijah, Zoe, Noah,” Stoudemire said before becoming emotional while talking about his family. “My babies, my children are my heart. Everything I do is for them.”
Stoudemire, who became a father early in his NBA career, acknowledged that his children saw firsthand how much work went into his success.
“My daughter and my kids experienced my career and saw what it took for me,” he said. “I know I was away at times and when I come home, I’m recovering and then I go to practice early and I stay after and I’m doing all this extra work.”
Still, Stoudemire said he made sure his children remained part of the journey.
“But you guys were there. I took you everywhere with me, and I’m glad that you’re here to see the end of it all,” he told them. “You’re seeing the final the final step.”
Stoudemire also thanked his wife for supporting him and sharing the Hall of Fame moment with him.
“I know she you know, she’s from London. And I know this is a different type of world for you, but this is basketball royalty, sweetheart,” he said. “And so thank you for being very supportive and being and being there with me and experience this with me.”
The Hall of Fame honor capped a basketball career that included 14 NBA seasons, six All-Star selections and five All-NBA honors. Stoudemire later continued his career overseas, winning championships in Israel before retiring as a player.
For Stoudemire, however, his path to the Hall of Fame carried meaning beyond what he accomplished on the court. Growing up in poverty shaped the message he wanted to leave with others as he closed his speech.
“The most important aspect that I can give, that I experienced , when you’re growing up in an environment when it’s not easy to make it out of, the most important factor for me was, first of all, stay out of trouble, stay positive, stay focused, stay meaningful, and always keep in mind that perseverance, no matter what one goes through, one can persevere through anything,” Stoudemire said.
