(JTA) – Former NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire has for years claimed to have “Hebrew roots,” studied Judaism and practiced its cultural customs. Now he is making the ties official by converting to the Jewish religion. Stoudemire, 35, told HBO sports reporter Jon Frankel that he is “in the process” of converting. Frankel first asked Stoudemire whether he wanted to become a citizen of Israel, a country he lived in briefly while playing for Hapoel Jerusalem last year, a club he partly owns. Stoudemire said he is trying to become a citizen, and Frankel asked whether he was being told to convert before achieving citizenship status. Stoudemire responded by saying he is converting “simply to get acclimated to the culture in Israel and also to apply for citizenship.” But he added: “My journey on this path really has nothing to do with citizenship, it’s just really truly a spiritual journey, and my goal is to get into the kingdom, and that’s the only mission.” Stoudemire had said earlier in the conversation that he partly follows both the New and the Old Testaments. “Any time to try to redefine yourself, you’re converting, whether it’s religious converting or just personal improvement,” he said.