Amar'e Stoudemire says he was just joking about avoiding gay teammate

Former NBA center Amar'e Stoudemire apologized for his comments in which he said he would avoid a teammate if that player were gay.

"I want to apologize for my offensive comments against the LGBT community," Stoudemire said in a statement on Wednesday. "These remarks were taken from a larger interview where a reporter was asking me hypothetical questions, and all my answers had a comedic undertone."

When asked in an interview with Israeli website Walla Sport, the 34-year-old Stoudemire said he would "shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner."

Stoudemire was then asked if he was joking, to which he responded, "I mean, there's always a truth within a joke."

Stoudemire then claimed Wednesday that he was taking a humorous tone with his answers.

"The answers I gave were meant to be taken as jokes, and I am deeply sorry for offending anyone," Stoudemire said.

Stoudemire, who is playing for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League, played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. He averaged 21.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in 846 career games.

While with the Knicks, Stoudemire was fined $50,000 after he tweeted a gay slur at a response during the 2012 offseason. He issued an apology after that incident.