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Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire is under fire for homophobic comments he made during an interview with Walla Sport, an Israeli website, ESPN reports.

Stoudemire, who currently plays overseas for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League, is asked during the interview: “Would you have a problem with a gay teammate?”

“I’m going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner,” Stoudemire said in response to the question. “And I’m going to drive––take a different route to the gym.”

He hedged a bit when the reporter asked if he was joking, saying, “I mean, there’s always a truth within a joke.”

In the same interview, several Hapoel players did not take issue with having a gay teammate.

Stoudemire, who began his career with an eight-year stint with the Phoenix Suns followed by five years with the New York Knicks, also played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat before retiring from the NBA in July.

Jason Collins, the first NBA player to publicly come out as gay, tweeted he was disheartened that Stoudemire recently received an award from Hapoel Jerusalem in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

“His homophobic comments have no place in sport or in our society,” Collins said in the tweet.

The Walla Sport interview is the second reported incident when Stoudemire came under fire for denigrating the LGBTQ community.

In 2012, Stoudemire lashed out on Twitter, calling a Knicks fan a “f—–” after he was criticized about his season performance. He eventually apologized after the NBA fined him $50,000, notes ESPN report.

“I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people,” Stoudemire said at the time, writes the sports news outlet. “I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have known better and there is no excuse.”

SOURCE: ESPN

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Amar’e Stoudemire In The Hot Seat Again For Homophobic Comments  was originally published on newsone.com