From Slam Dunks to Studying Torah: Amar’e Stoudemire’s Journey to Judaism

You might know him as Amar’e Stoudemire — a towering NBA star, Olympic medalist, and one of the most famous basketball players in the world. He once lived on a huge estate in New York. A chauffeur would wait to drive him in one of his many luxury cars, while bodyguards cleared the way through crowds of fans hoping for a selfie or autograph.

Today, he goes by a different name: Yehoshaphat ben Avraham. He sits in the corner of a beit midrash (Torah study hall) in New Jersey — not because he’s shy, but because he’s still new to the world of Torah. He’s not embarrassed to ask for help with a hard Talmud passage, and recently, he was gifted the English-translated Schottenstein Talmud from ArtScroll to help him along.

He’s a bit hard to miss — standing at 2.08 meters tall — but the way he quietly dives into learning makes it clear: he’s here for something real.

Yehoshaphat’s path to Torah didn’t begin in a classroom. It started on the basketball court. His journey brought him to Israel, where he played for Hapoel Jerusalem and even helped them win a national championship. But while he loved the game, something much deeper began stirring inside him. He was moved by the Jewish people — not for their basketball skills, but for their strong faith, their way of life, and their deep connection to God.

He expressed interest in converting to Judaism. Many were skeptical. Was this just a phase? Another celebrity move? But Amar’e showed that his intentions were sincere. He retired from professional basketball and fully committed himself to Torah, mitzvot, and halachic life. After a long and serious process, he converted through a recognized Beit Din in Bnei Brak and became an Israeli citizen.

Today, he wears a tallit katan — with techelet threads — under his shirt. He continues to grow in Torah and mitzvot, and even shares weekly divrei Torah videos online that are watched by tens of thousands around the world.

He also started a kosher wine brand and plans to expand into high-quality kosher meat, combining his business experience with his new Jewish values — all while creating a beautiful kiddush Hashem, sanctifying God’s name.

From the spotlight of the NBA to the quiet corner of a beit midrash, Yehoshaphat ben Avraham’s story is a reminder: it’s never too late to grow, to change, and to come closer to truth.