Stephon Marbury (Part 1)

Stephon Marbury, born on February 20, 1977, is an American former professional basketball player renowned for his prolific career in the NBA and later in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Marbury's journey began after his freshman year with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where he showcased his immense talent and caught the attention of NBA scouts.
In the 1996 NBA draft, Marbury was selected as the 4th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he was quickly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he began his NBA career. Marbury's time in the NBA spanned from 1996 to 2009, during which he established himself as one of the league's premier point guards.


Throughout his NBA career, Marbury earned two All-Star selections and secured two nods to the All-NBA Team, showcasing his exceptional skills and leadership on the court. Despite facing challenges and controversies during his time in the NBA, Marbury left a lasting impact on the league with his dynamic style of play and competitive spirit.
Following his NBA tenure, Marbury continued his basketball journey in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he played until his retirement in 2018. In addition to his playing career, Marbury has ventured into coaching and currently serves as the head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters of the CBA, further cementing his legacy in the world of basketball.


Stephon Marbury, known affectionately as "Starbury," has been widely recognized by this moniker since his youth. Born and raised in the vibrant Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, Marbury grew up as the sixth of seven siblings. His early education began at PS 329 elementary school.
During his formative years, Marbury emerged as a basketball prodigy, honing his skills at the esteemed Abraham Lincoln High School in New York City. His exceptional talent and leadership on the court quickly garnered attention, and he earned the prestigious title of New York State Mr. Basketball following his standout senior season. With remarkable averages of 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 3 steals per game, Marbury solidified his status as one of the most promising young basketball talents in the nation.


Throughout his high school career, Marbury was often hailed as the next great New York City point guard, drawing comparisons to NBA luminaries like Mark Jackson and Kenny Anderson. His rise to prominence was chronicled in Darcy Frey's acclaimed book "The Last Shot," which followed Marbury and several other talented players during their time at Abraham Lincoln High School.
In addition to his high school exploits, Marbury showcased his skills on the court as a member of the renowned Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, the New York Gauchos, further solidifying his reputation as a basketball phenom.


Stephon Marbury's remarkable talent and potential were recognized on a national scale when he was selected as a McDonald's All-American in 1995. This prestigious honor placed him among the elite high school basketball players in the country, alongside future NBA luminaries such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Antawn Jamison.
Marbury's inclusion in the McDonald's All-American roster underscored his status as one of the top recruits in the nation for the class of 1995. His exceptional skills and versatility on the court drew the attention of numerous college basketball programs eager to secure his commitment.
Ultimately, Marbury chose to join the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, led by esteemed head coach Bobby Cremins. His decision to play for Georgia Tech reflected both his confidence in the program's coaching staff and his desire to compete at the highest level of collegiate basketball. Under Cremins' guidance, Marbury would continue to showcase his immense talent and make a significant impact on the college basketball landscape.


Stephon Marbury's collegiate career at Georgia Tech was marked by his exceptional playmaking skills and leadership on the court. In his freshman season, he seamlessly transitioned into the starting point guard role, filling the void left by the departure of Travis Best.
Teaming up with talented players such as Matt Harpring and Drew Barry, Marbury played a pivotal role in leading Georgia Tech to a successful season, culminating in an appearance in the NCAA tournament's Regional Semi-final game. Despite the Yellow Jackets' loss to Cincinnati in that matchup, Marbury's contributions were instrumental in their journey to the postseason.


Throughout the season, Marbury showcased his scoring prowess and ability to facilitate the offense, averaging an impressive 18.9 points per game along with 4.5 assists. His stellar performance on the court earned him recognition as a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press, highlighting his impact and influence within the college basketball landscape.
Following his standout freshman campaign, Marbury made the decision to declare himself eligible for the 1996 NBA draft, signaling his readiness to take the next step in his basketball career and compete at the professional level.

References

1.  "NBA Read To Achieve". gettyimages.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
2. ^ Corcoran, Tully. "KU attracts Brooklyn star" Archived March 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, 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'ssic Got Game went there.
3. ^ "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-USA HONORABLE MENTIONS". USA Today. April 21, 1995. p. 11C.
4. ^ Shah, Simit (November 10, 1995). "Marbury latest member of Tech point guard tradition". The Technique. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
5. ^ 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves
6. ^ "SportsCentury – Kevin Garnett". March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2014 – via YouTube.
7. ^ Jackie MacMullan. "The NBA".Sports Illustrated. March 22, 1999.
8. ^ Marbury scores 26 of his 43 in fourth quarter
9. ^ "The fall of a Starbury: Troubled ride of Coney Island's hoop prodigy". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on March 22, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2006.
10. ^ "Knicks fire Brown, name Thomas new coach". ESPN. June 23, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
11. ^ WRITERS, THOMAS ZAMBITO, CORKY SIEMASZKODAILY NEWS STAFF. "Knicks' Marbury admits luring woman into car in sexual harassment testimony". nydailynews.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
12. ^ William C. Rhoden (November 24, 2007). "Thomas's Knicks Reign Appears Near an End". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
13. ^ Beck, Howard (April 19, 2008). "Thomas Won't Coach, but He Stays With Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
14. ^ "Sources: D'Antoni accepts offer, chooses Knicks over Bulls". Retrieved May 10, 2008.
15. ^ "Marbury & Duhon seem to get point". Daily News. New York. Retrieved March 27, 2018.