New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire announced on his Instagram that he will be fasting on Yom Kippur during training camp.
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"Day of Atonement !! Sundown tonight - Sundown tomorrow. This is going to be the hardest one yet. No eating or drinking during camp," he wrote in the caption along with a Bible verse. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for Jewish people and they observe the day with a period of fasting and intensive prayer.
Stoudemire's mother is Jewish and he made his heritage known in 2010 when he took a trip to Israel to get a better understanding of the religion. He has committed to embracing that side of his culture, becoming a major shareholder of Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club in the summer of 2013.
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That same year he was named an assistant coach of the Canadian basketball team for the 19th Maccabiah Games, which gave him the opportunity to return to Israel. He met with Israeli president Shimon Peres, who suggested he join the Israeli national basketball team.
Stoudemire is in the final year of his contract with the Knicks. Since injuring his knee in 2012 he has struggled to return to All-Star form. Last season year he played in 65 games and averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 22.6 minutes.
Stoudemire, a 13-year veteran, will try to help lead the Knicks to the playoffs this season alongside superstar forward Carmelo Anthony after New York failed to make the postseason last year.
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