Former Beijing Ducks' player Ji Zhe, a three-time winner of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league, died of lung cancer at the age of 33 on Thursday.

"At 2:14 a.m. on December 5, 2019, after fighting against lung cancer for over a year, Ji Zhe left us," Beijing Ducks said in a statement.

Ji was diagnosed with the disease in August last year and later went to the United States for treatment.

His club did not reveal the diagnosis to try to protect him from public distractions.

According to local reporters, officials and coaches of the Ducks had tried everything possible to help Ji and his family during his stay and treatment in the U.S.

"Ji has gone. He will love basketball as always, like he's never gone. His No. 51 jersey will stay here forever," read the club statement.

The Liaoning native, who transferred to Beijing in 2007, claimed the CBA championship title in 2012, 2014 and 2015 along with Stephon Marbury, current head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters.

The 2.02m-tall power forward was regarded as a good rim protector, contributing to the team on both ends with jumpers, three-pointers and rebounds. He also impressed fans with his passion on the court.

"This moment I feel saddened for your family members who love you," Marbury wrote on social media. "My bro, my teammate, my companion, my captain, I hope everything is smooth in the other world. I pray that your family members can bear the pain of loss, and hope they can stand in braveness. They can feel the energy by people who love you everywhere in the world. R.I.P." 

"Hopefully basketball will accompany you in heaven! R.I.P," wrote Yi Jianlian, the CBA's all-time leading scorer from Guangdong Southeast Tigers.

Ji was the prototype of character that Godfrey Gao played in the movie "My Other Home," a biographical film of Marbury. Coincidently, the 35-year-old Chinese actor and model passed away suddenly during the filming of a variety show eight days before Ji.

(With input from Sports Scene and Xinhua News Agency)