Amar'e Stoudemire spent years building a Hall of Fame basketball career. But long before the NBA, he had another job in mind.
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The 43-year-old has graduated from Miami Dade College's School of Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy, the school announced Wednesday. His next step is in-house training with the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department.
"It's something I always wanted to do since I was a kid," Stoudemire told Sports Illustrated.
"I remember back when I was in grade school, elementary school. They asked you on career day, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' And my initial response was a police officer."
Stoudemire also earned recognition during his academy training. According to ESPN, he received the Harry "Coach" Everett Award for his contributions to the program's success.
The career change might surprise basketball fans, but Stoudemire said law enforcement has long been part of his family.
"My uncle was a captain. His brother was a deputy. My cousin is a captain. My sister's in the academy," he told Sports Illustrated. "So, it's a family tradition, basically."
The graduation adds another milestone to a year in which Stoudemire was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Now he is preparing for work in a school police department.
He also joins another familiar NBA name in pursuing law enforcement. Shaquille O'Neal trained with the Los Angeles Port Police and became a reserve officer in Miami Beach, later taking on additional roles elsewhere.
For Stoudemire, though, the inspiration predates any basketball connection. He gave his answer on elementary school career day. Decades later, he's following through.
