Knicks' Stoudemire in Israel to trace Hebrew roots

Basketball Betting Lines

07/30/2010 -

JERUSALEM (AP) -NBA star Amare Stoudemire says he has come to Israel to explore whether he has Jewish heritage.

He tells The Associated Press on Friday that he believes he has ``Hebrew roots'' through his mother, Carrie.

The five-time All-Star who recently signed with the New York Knicks is on a weeklong visit to learn about Israel, its language and religions.

Stoudemire's Twitter page features such Hebrew words as ``Shalom,'' ``Le'chayim'' and ``ze ha'halom sheli,'' Hebrew for ``this is my dream.''

The 6-foot-10 forward signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks three weeks ago. He spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns.

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Online: http://twitter.com/amareisrealCopyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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