LAKE WALES, Fla. — Hazell Stoudemire was a big brother in every sense of the word and not just because he was such a big man.
When Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire was a baby, it was Hazell who would heat up his bottle on the stove, his uncle, Earnest Stoudemire told the Post last night.
“Hazell was the one who nurtured Amar’e,’’ said Earnest, 64, a retired major on the Lake Wales police department. Earnest is a brother of Stoudemire’s late father, Hazell Sr.
Hazell Jr. kept Amar’e away from trouble, the same trouble that often would find Hazell.
Hazell, 35, was killed in a car accident early this Monday morning on nearby U.S. 27 when his Cadillac Escalade ran into the back of a tractor-trailer. The Cadillac was traveling at a high rate of speed, and Hazell was not wearing his seat belt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Hazell, five years older than Amar’e, always looked out for his younger brother, warning Amar’e to stay away from dangerous situations.
“Hazell was a big man in every way, and not just because he stood 6-foot-10,’’ said Prophet Jermaine Shepard Sr., 31, a close friend of the family who will deliver the eulogy today at Hazell’s funeral. “He had some challenges growing up and even throughout his adult life, but I did feel that he had a spiritual connection. He had great insight on the Bible, very intellectual. He was often misjudged and misunderstood.’’
While his Knicks teammates were playing the Lakers last night at the Garden, a grieving Stoudemire sat in the front row of the First Baptist Church, directly across from his brother’s open casket as more than a thousand mourners came to pay their respects. Stoudemire declined to speak to The Post.
The church is a short drive from the Lincoln Avenue basketball courts in a rough part of town where Amar’e first started to play basketball as a teenager. Football was his sport. He idolized Deion Sanders, but Hazell influenced Amar’e, telling him basketball is how his dreams would come true. Hazell always was the protector.
Hazell Sr. died of a heart attack at the age of 41 when Amar’e was 12. Hazell Sr. was a landscaper, working the grounds of some large houses. He told Amar’e he would be able to live in one of those houses someday if he worked hard enough. Amar’e did just that.
Hazell acted as big brother and father figure to Amar’e, and was a gifted athlete as well. His high school basketball team went 33-0 one year and won a state championship. Hazell was nicknamed Baby Shaq for his exploits.
It was Earnest who was called to the accident scene to identify Hazell’s body. He then had to call Amar’e.
“Amar’e told me that he loved Hazell more than anyone could imagine,’’ Earnest said. “Amar’e showed his love in so many ways.’’
Earnest remembers the two brothers sitting on the couch at his home before this season, Amar’e giving his older brother a big hug and telling him how much he loved him.
“Amar’e is really torn up by this,’’ Earnest added. “He wanted to be so much like his brother, and they had such a loving relationship.’’
Everyone knows Amar’e Stoudemire in this central Florida town of about 15,000 that was established in the early 1900s. There are some beautiful areas in the rolling hills, including the highest point in the state. Bok Tower Gardens was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. There is much poverty, too, and Amar’e was able to bring his family out of the depths because of his basketball ability and drive to succeed, something he could not have done without Hazell’s guidance.
It’s a caring community. Mimi Reid Hardman of the Florida Historical Commission spoke to Earnest Stoudemire shortly before the service and said, “We’re so sorry for your loss. We love you very much. Please tell Amar’e how proud we are of him.’’
Make no mistake: Amar’e was so proud of his big brother as well.