NBA

Ex-NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire: I would avoid gay teammate in locker room

Mike Coppinger
USA TODAY
Miami Heat forward Amar'e Stoudemire returns to the bench as Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches during the game against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena.

Former NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire said he would go out of his way to avoid a gay teammate in the locker room.

"I'm going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner," Stoudemire, who now plays for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, told Israeli website Walla Sport. "And I'm going to drive -- take a different route to the gym."

Stoudemire wasn't joking, either. The 34-year-old said, "I mean, there's always a truth within a joke." Stoudemire's teammates were also asked if they would have an issue playing with a gay teammate. One response was "I wouldn't have an issue" and another said "I wouldn't have a problem."

Stoudemire was hardly the first pro athlete to mention shower concerns. Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, for example, said in a 2014 interview he’d be afraid how a gay teammate would look at him in the locker room.

“There have always been gay players on his teams, whether Amar’e knows it or not,” Hudson Taylor, founder of the organization Athlete Ally that promotes an inclusive environment within sports, told USA TODAY Sports. “When an athlete says something like this, that doesn’t change that fact. The only change is to the other athletes who don’t feel they can be their authentic selves. For Amar’e to put his fears before a player’s life experiences is really unfortunate.”

Stoudemire has a history of homophobic remarks. As a member of the New York Knicks in 2012, "Stat" was fined $50,000 after he tweeted a gay slur at another Twitter user.

After the tweeting incident, Stoudemire issued an apology.

"I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people," said Stoudemire, who averaged 18.9 points per game and 7.8 rebounds during a 15-year NBA career. "I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have known better and there is no excuse."

It appears he has now reversed course.