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Celia Ong

From ex-NBA player to revered basketball icon in China, Stephon Marbury's story is undeniably compelling. After flying half way across the world and winning three championships with the Beijing Ducks, it’s clear that the two-time NBA All-Star’s career did not fizzle out when his career in the US came to an end in 2009. Instead, he took a leap of a faith and found an unexpected career rebirth in China.
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Here are five things to know about one of China’s favourite Americans, who now coaches the CBA’s Beijing Royal Fighters.
He is one of the few foreigners to receive a Chinese green card

In 2015, Marbury expressed his gratitude on Weibo when he became the first foreign basketball player to be granted a Chinese green card. This was breaking news because China issued only 5,000 green cards between 2004 to 2013, according to China Daily. His permanent resident title means that he no longer has to apply for a visa to remain in China, where he has lived since 2011.

Today, he continues to flourish on the basketball scene despite his retirement from the Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) Beijing Ducks in 2017 at the age of 40. Now, he acts as head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters.
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He has his own statue and museum in China

#TheHouseOfMarburyMuseum Jesus Did It PERIOD! #Godisgreat pic.twitter.com/aNFOfuHYI4
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) December 21, 2015

Marbury was hailed as a hero after he led the Beijing Ducks to their first-ever CBA victory in 2012. That same year, a life-size statue depicting him holding the trophy was erected outside the Ducks' arena. In his subsequent years with the team, Marbury won two more championships and a CBA Finals MVP award. The nationwide reverence for the basketball star manifested at its peak when a museum dedicated to him opened in 2015.
He recently released a documentary about his career and life


A Kid From Coney Island, released in March, unravels the icon's imperfections and his gruelling, complicated journey as an athlete who found redemption in another continent. The documentary chronicles his life through high school, his controversial experience with the NBA, his spiritual awakening in China and finally back to where his literal voyage began.
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Although the documentary is preceded by other appearances on the big screen, such as My Other Home, an autobiographical film about his life in China, Marbury revealed to Vibe that this is his sincere attempt at putting forth his story as truthfully as possible.
His recent e-commerce live-stream debut in China failed

#NBA star Stephon Marbury @StarburyMarbury did a special #livestreaming session on $PDD to launch his flagship store. Check out his store right here: https://t.co/ysWifA5NvC#AKidFromConeyIsland #basketball #humpdaytreat pic.twitter.com/Mh0UdaxnjF
— Pinduoduo (@PinduoduoInc) April 15, 2020

A rare failure in China for Marbury saw him massively underperform in his live-stream with e-commerce giant Pinduoduo where he promoted products from his sports brand, Starbury. In an hour, he only attracted 21,000 viewers and sold 158 items.
Beijing Business Today attributed this failure to the relatively lower popularity of sports products among consumers, Marbury's language barrier, and his focus on his NBA journey instead of introducing his products during the live-stream.
He’s done his bit during the Covid-19 pandemic

I’m with you big brother. You called and I’m trying to answer. We’re all in this together. I lost a loved one to this invisible monster and the people who are trying to fight this virus need to be protected by any means. Thank you for having the heart to do what you do! https://t.co/0DLpnabn6K
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) March 29, 2020

Marbury has a history of philanthropy, especially during times of crisis. During Covid-19, Marbury hopes to deliver 10 million masks from China, which is already recovering from the worst of the pandemic, to New York City after learning about their lack of medical necessities. His donation followed his cousin’s death from the virus.
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CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

5 things about Stephon Marbury, ex-NBA player and All-Star who is a basketball icon in China

Stephon Marbury: China’s most popular American? Photo: Xinhua

FILE - In this April 23, 2009 file photo, Boston Celitcs' Stephon Marbury (8) goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Kirk Hinrich during the first half of a first-round NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff game in Chicago. Marbury has reached an agreement to play for a professional team in China. On Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, Shanxi announced it was bringing in the former NBA All-Star guard. In a release, the team said it expected Marbury to play his first game on Jan. 27 against Qingdao. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

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Stephon Marbury found stardom for the second time round in China, winning three championships with the Beijing Ducks; he now coaches the CBA’s Beijing Royal Fighters


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5 things about Stephon Marbury, ex-NBA player and All-Star who is a basketball icon in China

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Stephon Marbury found stardom for the second time round in China, winning three championships with the Beijing Ducks; he now coaches the CBA’s Beijing Royal Fighters

Stephon Marbury found stardom for the second time round in China, winning three championships with the Beijing Ducks; he now coaches the CBA’s Beijing Royal Fighters