Which college did 2026 Hall of Fame inductee Amar’e Stoudemire attend before entering the NBA?

Amar’e Stoudemire attended no college before entering the NBA; he was drafted directly from high school.

Stoudemire played at several high schools because of family moves and eligibility issues, ultimately finishing at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida. His athleticism and production made him one of the top prospects in the 2002 draft.

The Phoenix Suns selected him ninth overall, making him part of the wave of elite American teenagers who entered the NBA without playing college basketball. His selection came before the NBA’s later age rules required prospects to be at least one year removed from high school.

This fact is often confused with Stoudemire’s later international and professional development. He became a major NBA player with Phoenix and New York, but he never played NCAA basketball. Therefore, a college name is not the correct answer: his route to the NBA was directly from high school.