Stephon Marbury

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Stephon Marbury

| image = Stephon Marbury @ Amazon Fishbowl 2.jpg

| caption = Marbury in 2009

| team = Beijing Royal Fighters

| position = Head coach

| league = CBA

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|2|20}}

| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lbs = 180

| highschool = Abraham Lincoln
(Brooklyn, New York)

| college = Georgia Tech (1995–1996)

| draft_year = 1996

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 4

| draft_team = Milwaukee Bucks

| career_start = 1996

| career_end = 2018

| career_position = Point guard

| career_number = 3, 33, 8

| coach_start = 2019

| coach_end = 2023

| years1 = {{nbay|1996|start}}–{{nbay|1998|end}}

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| years2 = {{nbay|1998|end}}–{{nbay|2000|end}}

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| years3 = {{nbay|2001|start}}–{{nbay|2003|end}}

| team3 = Phoenix Suns

| years4 = {{nbay|2003|end}}–{{nbay|2008|end}}

| team4 = New York Knicks

| years5 = {{nbay|2008|end}}

| team5 = Boston Celtics

| years6 = 2010

| team6 = Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons

| years7 = 2010–2011

| team7 = Foshan Dralions

| years8 = 2011–2017

| team8 = Beijing Ducks

| years9 = 2017–2018

| team9 = Beijing Fly Dragons

| cyears1 = 2019–2023

| cteam1 = Beijing Royal Fighters

| highlights =

2× NBA All-Star (2001, 2003)
2× All-NBA Third Team (2000, 2003)
NBA All-Rookie First Team ({{nbay|1996|end}})
3× CBA champion (2012, 2014, 2015)
CBA Finals MVP (2015)
CBA International MVP (2013)
3× CBA All-Star
Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (1996)
First-team All-ACC (1996)
ACC Rookie of the Year (1996)
2× First-team Parade All-American (1994, 1995)
McDonald's All-American (1995)
Mr. New York Basketball (1995)

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's basketball}}

{{MedalCountry|{{flagu|United States}}}}

| stats_league = NBA

| stat1label = Points

| stat1value = 16,297 (19.3 ppg)

| stat2label = Assists

| stat2value = 6,471 (7.6 apg)

| stat3label = Steals

| stat3value = 1,022 (1.2 spg)

}}

Stephon Xavier Marbury (born February 20, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player who was also the head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) from 2019–2023. After his freshman year with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, but was traded shortly thereafter to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A two-time All-Star and two-time member of the All-NBA Team, Marbury played in the NBA from 1996 until 2009. He then played in the CBA until his retirement in 2018. During his time in the CBA, Marbury won three CBA championships, winning Finals MVP in 2015, and made three CBA All-Star Games.

Early years

Marbury has often gone by the nickname "Starbury", a name created during his youth. Marbury, the sixth of seven children, was born and raised in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. He attended elementary school, PS 329.{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/stephon-marbury-of-the-new-york-knicks-takes-part-in-a-read-news-photo/52435630|title=NBA Read To Achieve|website=gettyimages.com|date=March 17, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2018}} During his teenage years, he starred at NYC powerhouse Abraham Lincoln High School,Corcoran, Tully. [http://www.cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml "KU attracts Brooklyn star"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302201448/http://cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml |date=March 2, 2016 }}, The Topeka Capital-Journal, October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2009. "Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., is to high school basketball what Odessa Permian High School, in Texas, is to high school football. Basketball rules there. Stephon Marbury starred there. Marv Albert went there. Even Jesus Shuttlesworth, the fictional baller played by Ray Allen in He's^sic Got Game went there. After his senior year Marbury was named New York State Mr. Basketball, after averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists and 3 steals per game.{{Cite news|title=HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-USA HONORABLE MENTIONS|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 21, 1995|page=11C}} He was often heralded as the next great NYC point guard, expected to follow the success of NBA stand-outs Mark Jackson and Kenny Anderson.

While still attending Abraham Lincoln High School he was one of the subjects of Darcy Frey's book The Last Shot, which followed three seniors and Marbury, a freshman, through the early months of his first season with the school's team. In high school, he played for the AAU team the New York Gauchos.

College

=Recruitment=

He was named a 1995 McDonald's All-American along with future NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Antawn Jamison. Marbury was listed as one of the top five recruits in the country that year and was pursued by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets coach Bobby Cremins, with whom he eventually committed.

=Georgia Tech=

At Georgia Tech, Marbury took over the starting point guard role left vacant with Travis Best's departure.{{cite news|first=Simit|last=Shah|url=http://technique.library.gatech.edu/issues/fall1995/nov10/sports3-s.html|title=Marbury latest member of Tech point guard tradition|work=The Technique|date=November 10, 1995|access-date=May 22, 2007|archive-date=December 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205103810/http://technique.library.gatech.edu/issues/fall1995/nov10/sports3-s.html|url-status=dead}} Teaming with future NBA players Matt Harpring and Drew Barry, Marbury led Georgia Tech to a 24–12 record en route to the Regional Semi-final game of the NCAA tournament, where the Yellow Jackets lost to Cincinnati 87–70. For the season, Marbury averaged 18.9 ppg and 4.5 assists and was named a Third Team All American by the Associated Press, along with several conference honors. Following the season he declared himself eligible for the 1996 NBA draft.

Professional career

=Minnesota Timberwolves (1996–1999)=

He was selected fourth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1996 NBA draft, then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the draft rights to Ray Allen (who was drafted immediately after him) and a future first-round pick. In his first season in the league, Marbury averaged 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game and was named to the 1997 All-Rookie Team. He and second-year player Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves to the NBA playoffs in 1997 and 1998. During the 1997 NBA Playoffs, Marbury led Minnesota in scoring with 28 points during a first round Game 1 loss to the Houston Rockets.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704240HOU.html 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves]

During the lockout-shortened 1999 season, Marbury's agent, David Falk, demanded a trade. Marbury said he wanted to be closer to his family and friends. Other reports said he wanted to go to a market that would provide more endorsement opportunities, while others suggested that Marbury genuinely disliked Minnesota and was jealous of Kevin Garnett's new contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ_ChTYTHU4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421155344/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ_ChTYTHU4&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=April 21, 2013 | url-status=dead|title=SportsCentury – Kevin Garnett|via=YouTube|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=January 31, 2014}}Jackie MacMullan. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20140203152603/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015392/index.htm The NBA]".Sports Illustrated. March 22, 1999. Marbury was ultimately traded to the New Jersey Nets, alongside Bill Curley and Chris Carr of the Timberwolves and Elliot Perry of the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-way trade where the Timberwolves acquired Terrell Brandon, Brian Evans and draft considerations and the Bucks acquired Sam Cassell and Chris Gatling.

=New Jersey Nets (1999–2001)=

While in New Jersey, Marbury blossomed into an All-Star. Marbury made the All-NBA 3rd Team in 2000 and was selected as a reserve for the 2001 All-Star Game, where he hit 2 clutch threes to win the game. Marbury also scored a career-high 50 points on February 13, 2001, in an overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite his individual accolades, the Nets never made the playoffs during Marbury's time with the team.

=Phoenix Suns (2001–2004)=

Marbury was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake in the 2001 offseason for Jason Kidd and Chris Dudley. On November 30, 2002, Marbury scored a season-high 43 points, including 26 in the 4th quarter, to lead the Suns to a 94–87 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230402170826/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/221129021 Marbury scores 26 of his 43 in fourth quarter] As a Sun, Marbury made his second All-Star team and the All-NBA 3rd team in 2003. Teamed with Rookie of the Year Amar'e Stoudemire and All-Star Shawn Marion, the trio took the team to the 2003 NBA playoffs, but the Suns were ousted by the Spurs in the first round.

=New York Knicks (2004–2009)=

File:Stephon Marbury.jpg

Marbury, Penny Hardaway and Cezary Trybański were traded to the New York Knicks on January 5, 2004, for Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, Maciej Lampe, draft rights to Miloš Vujanić, a first-round 2004 draft choice, and an additional future first-round draft choice. This brought Marbury full circle, as he grew up in New York and was a lifelong Knicks fan.

Marbury played for the U.S. in the 2004 Summer Olympics, the first of the U.S. teams composed of NBA players to fail to win the gold medal at the Olympics. He and his teammates returned with bronze. Despite the disappointment, Marbury scored a U.S. team Olympic record 31 points in a game against Spain (since eclipsed by Carmelo Anthony in 2012).

During the 2005–06 season Marbury feuded with head coach Larry Brown. Towards the end of the 2005–2006 season, the Knicks' poor performance combined with Marbury's public spats with his coach led to a severe decline in Marbury's popularity, with Frank Isola and Michael O'Keefe of the New York Daily News stating that Marbury is "the most reviled athlete in New York."{{cite news | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/400850p-339607c.html | title = The fall of a Starbury: Troubled ride of Coney Island's hoop prodigy | access-date = March 19, 2006 | location=New York | work=Daily News | url-status=dead |archive-date=March 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322154116/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/400850p-339607c.html }}

The public feud between Marbury and Brown was one of the reasons Larry Brown was fired at the end of the 2005–06 season.{{cite news | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2496106 | title = Knicks fire Brown, name Thomas new coach | publisher = ESPN | date = June 23, 2006 | access-date = July 5, 2007}} Isiah Thomas took over the coaching role and the Knicks were slightly more successful during the 2006–2007 season, surpassing the previous year's 23 wins, 54 games into their 82-game season, before falling off and finishing with only 33.

In September 2007, Marbury testified at the trial of a sexual harassment lawsuit that had been filed against the Knicks and Isiah Thomas. At the trial, Marbury testified that he and a Knicks intern had "got[ten] together" in his car outside a strip club in 2005.{{Cite web|title=Knicks' Marbury admits luring woman into car in sexual harassment testimony|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-marbury-admits-luring-woman-car-sexual-harassment-testimony-article-1.247206|last=WRITERS|first=THOMAS ZAMBITO, CORKY SIEMASZKODAILY NEWS STAFF|website=nydailynews.com|date=September 12, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2020}}

The start of the 2007–08 season found the Knicks again floundering and Marbury again involved in a public feud, this time with Thomas. The pivotal incident involved Marbury leaving the team after learning that Thomas planned to remove him from the starting lineup. There were reports that Marbury and Thomas actually came to blows on the team plane, and that Marbury threatened to blackmail Thomas for taking him out of the starting lineup—both in the presence of Knick teammates. Following the incident and Marbury's return to the team in mid-November after one missed game, Knick fans consistently chanted "fire Isiah" at home games and constantly booed virtually all of the Knicks, especially Marbury. The dysfunction and drama were accompanied by 8 straight Knicks losses, and several newspapers reported that Isiah's job was in jeopardy.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/sports/basketball/24rhoden.html |title=Thomas's Knicks Reign Appears Near an End |work=The New York Times |author=William C. Rhoden |date=November 24, 2007 |access-date=October 27, 2008}} There were also rumors that the Knicks wanted to trade Marbury to another team. However, this proved difficult for the Knicks to accomplish, in view of the two years and approximately $42 million remaining under his contract with the Knicks. Following a season-ending ankle surgery in February 2008, which was reportedly deemed unnecessary by the team, but which Marbury elected to undergo regardless, Isiah Thomas hinted that Marbury could have played his final game in a Knicks uniform. However, in April 2008, it was Thomas who was removed from his position; first as president, being replaced by Donnie Walsh,{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/sports/basketball/19knicks.html?ex=1366257600&en=a79f30c4ecc6ff43&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | title = Thomas Won't Coach, but He Stays With Knicks | access-date = April 19, 2008 | work=The New York Times | first=Howard | last=Beck | date=April 19, 2008}} and then as coach, being replaced by Mike D'Antoni.{{cite news | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3389987 | title = Sources: D'Antoni accepts offer, chooses Knicks over Bulls | access-date = May 10, 2008}}

After D'Antoni took over, the Knicks signed Chris Duhon, leading to speculations over Marbury's future in New York. Marbury arrived to training camp, and competed with Duhon for the starting point guard job, which Duhon won.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/stephon-marbury-chris-duhon-point-knicks-article-1.300348|title=Marbury & Duhon seem to get point|website=Daily News|date=October 2008 |location=New York|access-date=March 27, 2018}} When D'Antoni told Marbury that he had an opportunity to play approximately 35 minutes in a game if he wanted to, Marbury, apparently feeling he and the Knicks had gone their own ways, allegedly refused.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3719230|title=Marbury differs with D'Antoni on refusal to play|date=November 22, 2008|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 27, 2018}} Following that, on December 1, Marbury was banned from attending any Knicks' practices or games.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/seven/12162008/sports/knicks/marbury_plans_to_watch_knicks_play_laker_144505.htm |title=MARBURY PLANNED TO WATCH KNICKS PLAY LAKERS – New York Post |access-date=January 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321221858/http://www.nypost.com/seven/12162008/sports/knicks/marbury_plans_to_watch_knicks_play_laker_144505.htm |archive-date=March 21, 2009 }}

=Boston Celtics (2009)=

On February 24, 2009, the Knicks and Marbury agreed to a buyout after much speculation.{{cite news|title=Marbury, Knicks Finally Part Ways |publisher=CBS |date=February 24, 2009 |url=http://wcbstv.com/sports/stephon.marbury.knicks.2.943062.html?hbx.hra=Newyork-LAN&hbx.cmp.c1=story+90710811&hbx.cmp.c3=641&hbx.cmp.c2=300+x+250+90710811&hbx.cmp=AFC-New |access-date=February 24, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He cleared waivers two days later, making him a free agent. Marbury had been speculated to join the Boston Celtics by many NBA analysts since late 2008, and on February 27, 2009, Marbury signed with the Celtics. In his debut, he played against the Indiana Pacers, adding 8 points on 4 of 6 shooting, and 2 assists in 13 minutes. Marbury wore the jersey number 8, as No. 3 had been retired in honor of Dennis Johnson.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press022709-marbury.html |title=Celtics Sign Guard Stephon Matbury |website=NBA.com |access-date=February 27, 2009}}

Marbury was offered a one-year contract by the Celtics for the 2009–10 season for the veteran's minimum. However, he did not agree to the contract. He later announced that he would take a year off from basketball to attend to his business interests.Marc Berman. "[http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/what_mess_jdyocVkmhjzZQDyjyIqzIP Marbury rips Knicks, coach, says he'll sit out season]". New York Post. October 16, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2009.

=Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons (2010)=

In January 2010, it was announced that Marbury had signed with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite news | title = Marbury joins Chinese pro team | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4836023 | agency = Reuters | publisher = ESPN | date = January 18, 2010| access-date = January 18, 2010}} In his first game, Marbury, suffering from jet lag, contributed 15 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals in 28 minutes of action.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/chinese_delivery_bbFZ0dErPHMZnF9mOs2SYP|title=Jetlagged Marbury makes first appearance in Asia|work=New York Post|access-date=February 3, 2010 | first=Marc | last=Berman | date=February 2, 2010}} He averaged 22.9 points, 9.5 assists and 2.6 steals in 15 games, but Shanxi eventually failed to advance to the playoffs. Marbury later participated in the CBA All-Star match between the North and the South teams, contributing 30 points and 10 assists for the North team. He won the MVP title for the All-Star game.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/03/21/sports/sports-us-basketball-china-marbury.html|title='Starbury' Lights Up China's All Star Game|website=The New York Times|access-date=March 27, 2018}} In July 2010, Marbury agreed to a three-year deal to remain with the Brave Dragons.{{cite news| url=https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/08/04/marbury-lauds-taiyuan-nothing-but-love/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=Marbury Lauds Taiyuan: 'Nothing But Love' | date=August 4, 2010}} However, he left the team in December 2010.

=Foshan Dralions (2010–2011)=

In December 2010 Marbury joined the Foshan Dralions.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goorWxE372hSbK1X8z3SWSHHXJlw?docId=CNG.8f87b22ed229ce8a572883bc0e564dac.941|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212195908/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goorWxE372hSbK1X8z3SWSHHXJlw?docId=CNG.8f87b22ed229ce8a572883bc0e564dac.941|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2010|title=Ex-NBA player Marbury switches teams in China.|access-date=March 27, 2018}} Like the previous season, Marbury played in the starting five of the 2011 CBA All-Star match, but his team failed to make the playoffs.

=Beijing Ducks (2011–2017)=

During the 2011–2012 season, the Beijing Ducks, led by Stephon Marbury, started out the season with a 13–0 record. Like the previous two seasons, Marbury played in the starting five for the 2012 CBA All-Star match, but unlike the previous two years, his team made the playoffs. Averaging 45 points per game during the Shanxi series, Marbury led Beijing to their first ever CBA Finals match-up against the 7-time champion Guangdong Southern Tigers. Marbury then led his Beijing Ducks Team to the 2011–2012 season CBA championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/7756869/stephon-marbury-scores-41-leads-beijing-ducks-first-chinese-league-title|title=Marbury scores 41 as team wins 1st China title|website=go.com|date=March 30, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2018}} Following the team's championship, in May 2012, a statue of Marbury was unveiled on the lawn of the MasterCard Center, the 2008 Olympic basketball arena, in Beijing. Dennis Rodman spoke at the ceremony.Sean Newell, [http://deadspin.com/5909908/stephon-marbury-statue-officially-unveiled-in-china-dennis-rodman-gives-dedication-speech "Stephon Marbury Statue Officially Unveiled In China, Dennis Rodman Gives Dedication Speech,"] Deadspin, May 13, 2012.Ian Begley, [https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/19570/marbury-gets-statue-in-china "Marbury gets statue in China,"] ESPN, May 14, 2012.

In the second game of the 2012–13 CBA season, Marbury tallied 13 assists in a victory over the Jilin Northeast Tigers. This was the highest number of assists Marbury had produced in a single game since his tenure with the Ducks began.[http://sports.163.com/12/1127/23/8HBRL7RS00052UUC.html#p=8HBIT8GU538T0005], Marbury Dishes 13 Assists in Win Over Jilin. He then scored 32 points in an away game against Liaoning. Beijing won that game by 4 points.[http://cba.sports.163.com/schedule/report_2012017.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203050059/http://cba.sports.163.com/schedule/report_2012017.html|date=December 3, 2012}}, Ducks Survive Dinosaur Scare. Retrieved December 1, 2012. He was named the CBA Foreign MVP for the season.

On March 30, 2014, Marbury won a second CBA championship with the Beijing Ducks. On March 22, 2015, he won his third CBA championship with his team, as well as his first official CBA Finals MVP award.{{cite web|url=http://cbachina.sports.sohu.com/20150322/n410141891.shtml|title=Beijing beat Liaoning to win CBA championship|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921234451/http://cbachina.sports.sohu.com/20150322/n410141891.shtml|url-status=dead}}

On February 25, 2017, Marbury announced he would retire at the end of the 2017-18 CBA season.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2694938-stephon-marbury-announces-retirement-plans-for-after-2017-18-cba-season|title=STEPHON MARBURY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS FOR AFTER 2017–18 CBA SEASON|work=BleacherReport.com|date=February 25, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2017}}

On April 24, 2017, the Ducks officially parted ways with Marbury.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/stephon-marbury-parting-ways-beijing-235514519.html|title=Stephon Marbury is parting ways with Beijing Ducks after three titles|publisher=Yahoo!|date=April 24, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Beijing Fly Dragons (2017–2018)=

On July 19, 2017, Marbury announced that for his last season, he would play for the Beijing Fly Dragons.{{cite web|url=http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2722626-stephon-marbury-beijing-fly-dragons-agree-to-contract-for-guards-final-season|title=Stephon Marbury, Beijing Fly Dragons Agree to Contract for Guard's Final Season|first=Rob|last=Goldberg|website=bleacherreport.com|access-date=March 27, 2018}} He later posted that after his season with the Fly Dragons concluded, he'd look to try and finish his career with an NBA team. However, on February 11, 2018, Marbury played his final game in the CBA, scoring 20 points in a 104–92 win over the Jiangsu Dragons, and announced his retirement from basketball.{{cite web|last1=Bodner|first1=Brett|title=Stephon Marbury retires from basketball following final game in China|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/stephon-marbury-retires-basketball-game-china-article-1.3815956|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 12, 2018|date=February 12, 2018}}

Coaching career

On June 24, 2019, Marbury was named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).{{cite magazine |last1=Shapiro |first1=Michael |title=Stephon Marbury Named Head Coach of CBA's Beijing Royal Fighters |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/06/24/stephon-marbury-beijing-royal-fighters-head-coach |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=July 16, 2019 |date=June 24, 2019}} He helped turn around the team's performance.{{Cite book |last=Li |first=David Daokui |title=China's World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict |date=2024 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0393292398 |location=New York, NY |pages=246 |author-link=David Daokui Li}}

On March 8, 2020, Marbury warned NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to stop the 2019–2020 season, saying, "the game won't be fun if people die." He specifically asked Silver to "be the one to make the hard, easy decision." This request was made three days before the first NBA player tested positive for the coronavirus and Silver suspended the season.{{cite news |last1=Woo |first1=Stu |last2=Cheng |first2=Jonathan |title=Stephon Marbury's Wild Ride on the Front End of the Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/stephon-marburys-wild-ride-on-the-front-end-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-11586772028?mod=hp_listc_pos2 |access-date=April 13, 2020}}

Personal life

=Family=

Stephon's father Don died on December 2, 2007, during a game between the Knicks and the Phoenix Suns.[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-12-03-suns-knicks_N.htm Suns stifle Knicks behind Hill; Marbury's father dies], December 2, 2007

Stephon's brother Zach has played professional basketball in Venezuela.[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/sports/basketball/26marbury.html?_r=1&ref=sports Zach Marbury, Stephon's Brother, Will Play in Venezuela] The New York Times, January 25, 2009 Marbury is a cousin of former professional basketball player Sebastian Telfair. He is also a cousin of former Providence College star and former NBA journeyman Jamel Thomas. In a book, Thomas claimed Marbury's selfish actions in Minnesota prevented Thomas from signing a contract with the Timberwolves.[http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2008/09/04/2008-09-04_stephon_marburys_cousin_jamel_thomas_wri.html Stephon Marbury's cousin Jamel Thomas writes about NBA star] Daily News September 4, 2008

Stephon and his wife Latasha married on September 14, 2002. They divorced in 2023. He has three children: Xaviera, Stephon II, and Stephanie.[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephon_marbury/printable_player_files.html Stephon Marbury bio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108212201/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephon_marbury/printable_player_files.html |date=November 8, 2012 }}. National Basketball Association. Retrieved October 29, 2009.

On April 7, 2025, he married Chinese singer and former "The Voice of China" contestant Wang Yuling (aka Catina Mezereon) in Philadelphia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

=Legal issues and controversies=

Marbury was jailed 10 days for DUI after being stopped and arrested for driving 40 km above the speed limit. At the time of his arrest, he registered more than twice Arizona's legal limit of blood alcohol level.[https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/stephon-marbury-jailed-10-days-for-dui-1.327884 Stephon Marbury jailed 10 days for DUI]. CBC.ca. Retrieved November 14, 2023.

In 2007, Marbury admitted in federal court to having affairs with an intern after a group outing to a strip club in 2005.[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/sports/basketball/13thomas.html Marbury Testifies He Had Sex With Knicks Intern]. New. York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2023.

=Philanthropy=

In 2001, Marbury donated $250,000 of the money derived from Pepsi sponsorships to help victims of the September 11 attacks.[http://www.nba.com/knicks/community Marbury 9.11] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110103101/http://www.nba.com/knicks/community |date=November 10, 2012 }}

In 2005, Marbury donated between $500,000 and $1,000,000 to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.[http://www.nba.com/knicks/community/hurricane_050906.html Marbury and Houston Join Players Association to Help Hurricane Victims] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110103113/http://www.nba.com/knicks/community/hurricane_050906.html |date=November 10, 2012 }}

In 2007, Marbury donated $4,000,000 to New York City, $1,000,000 each to the NYPD, FDNY, EMT, and New York City Teacher's Fund.{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_2pa8aCHhppruS8W4IIXYhP|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629204232/http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_2pa8aCHhppruS8W4IIXYhP|url-status=dead|title=THE RUMBLE |date=June 29, 2012|archive-date=June 29, 2012|website=New York Post|access-date=March 27, 2018}}

In 2014, Marbury was named one of the Top 10 Model Citizens for Beijing due to his commitment to the Beijing community and the charity work he provided for it. He became the first international citizen to earn such an honor since its inception by the Beijing government.{{Cite web|title=Stephon Marbury Named one of Beijing's Top Ten Model Citizens|url=https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2015/01/09/stephon-marbury-named-one-beijings-top-10-model-citizens|date=January 9, 2015|website=www.thebeijinger.com|language=EN|access-date=May 1, 2020}}

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marbury worked with a China supplier to sell millions of masks at cost to assist first responders and hospital workers in New York City.{{cite web |last1=Calder |first1=Richer |title=Stephon Marbury sets up deal to deliver 10M masks to NY amid coronavirus crisis |url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/29/stephon-marbury-plans-to-deliver-10-million-masks-to-ny-amid-coronavirus-crisis/ |work=New York Post |date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=April 14, 2020}}

=Fashion=

In 2006, Marbury partnered with Steve & Barry's to promote a line of shoes and clothing bearing his nickname, "Starbury".

The line of shoes he endorsed sold for $14.98, far less than many other shoe lines.{{cite news | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2551942 | title = 'Starbury' for less: Marbury to endorse cheap kicks | agency = Associated Press | date = August 16, 2006 | access-date = July 5, 2007}} The reason for doing so, he stated at the time, was to provide kids a way to get fashionable basketball shoes for a reasonable price, and avoid the problem of having expensive shoes that are the target of theft.

Marbury was not paid to endorse the shoes, but was compensated based on sales of the shoes. Since then, but not due to business with Marbury, Steve & Barry's filed for bankruptcy and closed all stores.

Shortly after Steve & Barry's closed, Marbury opened Starbury.com to sell his shoes and an expanded product line through a partnership with Amazon.com.{{cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/knick_new_drive_to_net_QdeKYTdqZkFlE5teZLoteI | work=New York Post | first1=Richard | last1=Wilner | first2=Marc | last2=Berman | title=KNICK'S NEW DRIVE TO 'NET | date=January 28, 2009}} Starbury has also announced plans to open dozens of stores and a distributorship in China.{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703435104575421191743179492?KEYWORDS=starbury#articleTabs%3Darticle | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Loretta | last=Chao | title=Marbury Courts Hoops Fans in China | date=August 11, 2010}}

In May 2017, Marbury expressed interest in helping Big Baller Brand partner with a Chinese sports apparel company.{{cite news| url=http://www.slamonline.com/nba/stephon-marbury-work-together-big-baller-brand/#5fdVU6J4ouuG2GTz.97 | work=Slam Magazine | first1=Nelson | last1=Ryne | title=Stephon Marbury Wants to Work Together with Big Baller Brand | date=May 5, 2017}}

=In popular culture=

Marbury is on the cover of the Midway video game NBA Ballers. He has been named to The Sporting News list of "Good Guys in Sports" three times.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In the Spike Lee movie He Got Game, fictional Brooklyn high school star Jesus Shuttlesworth (played by Ray Allen) mentions Stephon Marbury as one of the great New York City legends to make it out of Coney Island to the NBA. The high school in the movie, Abraham Lincoln, is where Marbury attended high school.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In 1999, Marbury, alongside fellow former Georgia Tech point guard Kenny Anderson, appeared in the video for Big Pun's single "Whatcha Gonna Do" which was produced by Juju of The Beatnuts. In the video, Marbury and Anderson play a 2 on 2 game versus Terror Squad members Fat Joe and Cuban Link.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In 2007, Marbury co-authored his first children's book with Marshall Dean entitled The Adventures of Young Starbury: Practice Makes Perfect. The book was illustrated by Ryan Nakai.{{cite web|url=http://www.abebooks.com/9780979825002/Practice-Perfect-Adventures-Young-Starbury-0979825008/plp|title=9780979825002: Practice Makes Perfect (The Adventures of Young Starbury) – AbeBooks – Stephon Marbury with Marshall Dean: 0979825008|website=abebooks.com|access-date=March 27, 2018}}

In March 2008, wrestler Montel Vontavious Porter said in an interview that he based his wrestling persona on Marbury. M.V.P. said he had an encounter with Marbury when he was a doorman at a club.{{cite web|url=http://www.24wrestling.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206652380&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6&|title=MVP's Gimmick Based Off NBA Player Stephon Marbury|access-date=April 4, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401124708/http://www.24wrestling.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1206652380&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6&|archive-date=April 1, 2008}}

In July 2009, Marbury engaged in a 24-hour live-streaming broadcast{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/stephon-marbury-streaming-internet-meltdown-ustream.html|title=Stephon Marbury streams 24-hour meltdown live on the Internet|date=July 27, 2009|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 27, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2009/07/29/stephon-marbury-web-show/|title=Stephon Marbury Web Show: The Dark Side of Live Streaming|first=Ben|last=Parr|website=mashable.com|date=July 30, 2009|access-date=March 27, 2018}} in which he answered questions from fans, openly wept, and ate vaseline to soothe a sore throat.{{Cite web |last=Gillin |first=Eric |date=July 24, 2009 |title=Stephon Marbury on UStream.com: 24 Hours of Performance-Art Therapy |url=http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a6143/stephon-marbury-streaming-video-072409/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=Esquire}} He would later admit that he was depressed and suicidal at the time.{{Cite magazine |last=Golliver |first=Ben |date=January 17, 2015 |title=Stephon Marbury admits he was depressed, suicidal at time of Vaseline video |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/01/17/stephon-marbury-sucidial-depressed-hbo-sports-china-knicks |access-date=March 27, 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

Marbury appeared in the 2014 musical I Am Marbury, which is allegorically based on his life.{{cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/119625/stephon-marbury-life-made-chinese-musical|title=Stephon Marbury Is Starring in a Chinese Musical About Himself|magazine=The New Republic|author=Christopher Beam|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=November 6, 2014}}

In 2017, Marbury starred in his own autobiographical movie titled My Other Home, alongside Jessica Jung.

A documentary about Marbury, A Kid from Coney Island, was released in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_kid_from_coney_island|title=A Kid from Coney Island|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=January 10, 2021}}

=Residency=

In 2015, Marbury applied for and received a Chinese "green card", or Permanent Resident ID Card ({{lang|zh-hans|外国人永久居留身份证}}). He is the fifth American basketball player to receive a green card in China.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-04/18/c_134161573.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505073110/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-04/18/c_134161573.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2015|title=Former NBA star Marbury applying for Chinese green card|author=Shen Qing|date=April 18, 2015|access-date=May 4, 2015}} He also earned the nickname Commissar Ma ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=马政委|t=馬政委}}) for his role as a mentor to the teammates and younger players while playing in China.{{Citation|last=NBA Got Game TV|title=The Rise and fall of Stephon Marbury (Part 2)|date=August 17, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njz90aBSzXk|access-date=October 14, 2017}}

On November 15, 2023, Marbury obtained Hong Kong residency under the Category A of {{ill|高端人才通行證計劃|zh|lt=Top Talent Pass Scheme}}.{{cite web |title=Ex-NBA star Stephon Marbury granted 'talent' admission in 'record-breaking 24 hours' |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/210403/Ex-NBA-star-Stephon-Marbury-granted-'talent'-admission-in-'record-breaking-24-hours'#:~:text=The%2046%2Dyear%2Dold%20basketball,application%20%2D%20for%20admission%20to%20the |publisher=The Standard (Hong Kong) |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250321165042/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/210403/Ex-NBA-star-Stephon-Marbury-granted-'talent'-admission-in-'record-breaking-24-hours' |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |date=November 15, 2023}}

=Sports team owner=

On October 20, 2017, it was announced that Marbury had reached an agreement to become the owner of the Beijing Lions of the China Arena Football League.{{cite web | url=http://caflfootball.com/stephon-marbury-cafl/ | title=Stephon Marbury to Own CAFL Franchise | publisher=caflfootball.com | date=October 20, 2017 | access-date=October 20, 2017 | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020181859/http://caflfootball.com/stephon-marbury-cafl/ | archive-date=October 20, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}

Career statistics

=NBA=

==Regular season==

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1996}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota

| 67 || 64 || 34.7 || .408 || .354 || .727 || 2.7 || 7.8 || 1.0 || .3 || 15.8

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1997}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota

| style="background:#cfecec;"| 82* || 81 || 38.0 || .415 || .313 || .731 || 2.8 || 8.6 || 1.3 || .1 || 17.7

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|1998}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota

| 18 || 18 || 36.7 || .408 || .205 || .724 || 3.4 || 9.3 || 1.6 || .3 || 17.7

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 31 || 31 || 39.8 || .439 || .367 || .832 || 2.6 || 8.7 || 1.0 || .1 || 23.4

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1999|trunc=y}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 74 || 74 || 38.9 || .432 || .283 || .813 || 3.2 || 8.4 || 1.5 || .2 || 22.2

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2000}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 67 || 67 || 38.2 || .441 || .328 || .790 || 3.1 || 7.6 || 1.2 || .1 || 23.9

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2001}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix

| 82 || 80 || 38.9 || .442 || .286 || .781 || 3.2 || 8.1 || .9 || .2 || 20.4

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2002}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix

| 81 || 81 || 40.0 || .439 || .301 || .803 || 3.2 || 8.1 || 1.3 || .2 || 22.3

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2003}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix

| 34 || 34 || 41.6 || .432 || .314 || .795 || 3.4 || 8.3 || 1.9 || .1 || 20.8

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 47 || 47 || 39.1 || .431 || .321 || .833 || 3.1 || 9.3 || 1.4 || .1 || 19.8

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2004}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 82 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 82* || 40.0 || .462 || .354 || .834 || 3.0 || 8.1 || 1.5 || .1 || 21.7

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2005}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 60 || 60 || 36.6 || .451 || .317 || .755 || 2.9 || 6.4 || 1.1 || .1 || 16.3

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2006}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 74 || 74 || 37.1 || .415 || .357 || .769 || 2.9 || 5.4 || 1.0 || .1 || 16.4

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2007}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 24 || 19 || 33.5 || .419 || .378 || .716 || 2.5 || 4.7 || .9 || .1 || 13.9

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2008}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Boston

| 23 || 4 || 18.0 || .342 || .240 || .462 || 1.2 || 3.3 || .4 || .1 || 3.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 846 || 816 || 37.7 || .433 || .325 || .784 || 3.0 || 7.6 || 1.2 || .1 || 19.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star

| 2 || 0 || 16.5 || .500 || .400 || .500 || .5 || 5.0 || .0 || .0 || 8.0

==Playoffs==

| style="text-align:left;"|1997

| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota

| 3 || 3 || 39.0 || .400 || .300 || .600 || 4.0 || 7.7 || .7 || .0 || 21.3

| style="text-align:left;"|1998

| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota

| 5 || 5 || 41.8 || .306 || .280 || .783 || 3.2 || 7.6 || 2.4 || .0 || 13.8

| style="text-align:left;"|2003

| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix

| 6 || 6 || 45.3 || .375 || .227 || .758 || 4.0 || 5.7 || 1.2 || .0 || 22.0

| style="text-align:left;"|2004

| style="text-align:left;"|New York

| 4 || 4 || 43.5 || .373 || .300 || .680 || 4.3 || 6.5 || 1.8 || .0 || 21.3

| style="text-align:left;"|2009

| style="text-align:left;"|Boston

| 14 || 0 || 11.9 || .303 || .250 || 1.000 || .9 || 1.8 || .1 || .0 || 3.7

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 32 || 18 || 29.3 || .355 || .273 || .750 || 2.6 || 4.6 || .9 || .0 || 12.6

=CBA=

==Regular season==

| style="text-align:left;"|2009–10

| style="text-align:left;"|Shanxi

| 15 || 15 || 34.1 || .487 || .366 || .806 || 5.9 || 9.5 || 2.6 || .1 || 22.9

| style="text-align:left;"|2010–11

| style="text-align:left;"|Foshan

| 32 || 32 || 36.4 || .545 || .508 || .816 || 4.5 || 5.7 || 1.6 || .0 || 25.2

| style="text-align:left;"|2011–12

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 31 || 31 || 35.3 || .470 || .283 || .701 || 5.5 || 6.5 || 2.2 || .0 || 25.0

| style="text-align:left;"|2012–13

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 30 || 30 || 35.0 || .539 || .386 || .766 || 4.6 || 5.3 || 2.2 || .1 || 29.5

| style="text-align:left;"|2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 12 || 12 || 29.4 || .519 || .477 || .780 || 4.7 || 5.3 || 1.0 || .0 || 16.9

| style="text-align:left;"|2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 38 || 36 || 31.8 || .555 || .406 || .764 || 3.2 || 5.7 || 1.2 || .1 || 16.3

| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 36 || 36 || 31.9 || .483 || .366 || .788 || 3.8 || 5.7 || 2.0 || .0 || 18.4

| style="text-align:left;"|2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 36 || 36 || 34.4 || .487 || .341 || .748 || 3.2 || 5.5 || 1.7 || .1 || 21.4

| style="text-align:left;"|2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Fly Dragons

| 36 || 36 || 34.1 || .464 || .281 || .663 || 3.0 || 4.7 || 1.6 || .2 || 14.9

==Playoffs==

| style="text-align:left;"|2011–12

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 14 || 13 || 33.6 || .571 || .432 || .822 || 4.3 || 5.6 || 3.4 || .1 || 33.8

| style="text-align:left;"|2012–13

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 6 || 6 || 35.8 || .393 || .265 || .848 || 3.2 || 8.2 || 2.3 || .2 || 22.0

| style="text-align:left;"|2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 15 || 15 || 37.2 || .451 || .283 || .745 || 4.8 || 4.1 || 2.5 || .0 || 25.7

| style="text-align:left;"|2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 13 || 13 || 38.8 || .575 || .375 || .750 || 4.2 || 6.6 || 2.1 || .1 || 24.6

| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"|Beijing Ducks

| 4 || 4 || 37.8 || .484 || .481 || .815 || 4.8 || 4.3 || 1.3 || .0 || 31.8

=College=

| style="text-align:left;"| 1995–96

| style="text-align:left;"| Georgia Tech

| 36 || 35 || 37.4 || .457 || .370 || .738 || 3.1 || 4.5 || 1.8 || .1 || 18.9

Filmography

1997: Big Bad Mamma Music Video by Foxy Brown (rapper) – Fairy Godfather{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
2000: ‘’The Jersey’’ – Himself (Episode: “Elliot and Goliath”){{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
2000: Between the Lions – Himself (3 episodes){{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
2004: NBA Ballers – Himself{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
2017: My Other Home — Best New Actor at 14th China Movie Channel Media Awards{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
2019: A Kid From Coney Island Documentary – Himself{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

References

External links

{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200917140251/http://www.starbury.com/ Starbury Official Site]}}
{{basketballstats|nba=950|bbr=m/marbust01}}
{{twitter|starburymarbury}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn) alumni

Category:All-American college men's basketball players

Category:American expatriate basketball people in China

Category:American football executives

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players at the 2004 Summer Olympics