Stephon Marbury NBA All-Star (2003)
A two-time NBA All-Star and CBA legend, Stephon Marbury's career spanned from Brooklyn to Beijing.
Stephon Xavier Marbury (born February 20, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. A point guard, Marbury played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for one season. He was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks; shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A two-time NBA All-Star and two-time member of the All-NBA Team, Marbury played for five teams in a 13-year NBA career that ended in 2009. He then played in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) until his retirement in 2018. During his time in the CBA, Marbury won three CBA championships, was named Finals MVP in 2015, and made three CBA All-Star Games. He also served as head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters from 2019 to 2023.
Quick Facts
- All-star selections
- 2 (2001, 2003)
Lore & Background
Marbury has often gone by the nickname 'Starbury', a name created during his youth. He was born and raised in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. He attended elementary school, PS 329. During his teenage years, he starred at NYC powerhouse Abraham Lincoln High School. 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. 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. In high school, he played for the AAU team the New York Gauchos.
Reader's Guide
Marbury 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 and a future first-round pick. In his first season, he averaged 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game and was named to the 1997 All-Rookie Team. He and Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves to the NBA playoffs in 1997 and 1998. During the lockout-shortened 1999 season, Marbury's agent demanded a trade. Marbury was ultimately traded to the New Jersey Nets in a three-way trade. While in New Jersey, Marbury made the All-NBA 3rd Team in 2000 and was selected as a reserve for the 2001 All-Star Game. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns in the 2001 offseason. As a Sun, Marbury made his second All-Star team and the All-NBA 3rd team in 2003. He was traded to the New York Knicks on January 5, 2004. Marbury played for the U.S. in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He feuded with head coaches Larry Brown and later Isiah Thomas. After the 2007–08 season, Mike D'Antoni took over as coach. On December 1, Marbury was banned from attending any Knicks' practices or games. He later signed with the Boston Celtics in February 2009.
Did You Know?
- Marbury scored a career-high 50 points on February 13, 2001, in an overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers while with the New Jersey Nets.
- Marbury scored a U.S. team Olympic record 31 points in a game against Spain during the 2004 Summer Olympics.
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