Stephon Marbury planning to build basketball school in China after retirement

Stephon Marbury is reportedly making plans to help further the development of Chinese basketball by building a basketball school or even becoming a coach after his retirement. 

During an interview with Beijing Youth Daily, the former NBA star said he will officially announce his retirement at a press conference after the match against Jiangsu Dragons on February 11.

Stephon Marbury [File photo: IC]

The 40-year-old player said he was very grateful to Beijing Fly Dragons for giving him a chance to continue his career in the CBA and to stay in Beijing. He said it was a shame he did not manage to help the club qualify for the playoffs.

Speaking of his nine year career in the CBA and the three championships he won for Beijing Ducks, Marbury wholeheartedly thanked the fans in Beijing for their love and support. He also spoke with gratitude of the statue and museum in his honor in Beijing, the permanent residence granted to him by the Chinese government, and the "honorary citizenship" issued to him by the municipal government of Beijing.

Marbury said that after his retirement he will not leave China, as Beijing is his home.

He added that he and his team were working on plans to make ongoing contributions to the development of Chinese basketball, including building a basketball school with basketball camps for teenagers or even serving as the coach of a CBA club. 

Marbury said he would be glad to be a coach for a Chinese national basketball team, but that he would not choose to be the head coach. 

"I'm willing to become a bridge, not only for basketball but for the whole sports industry," said Marbury.