Stephon Marbury marks retirement with win in CBA

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Former NBA star Stephon Marbury finished the last match of his career with 20 points on Sunday as his Beijing Fly Dragons scored a 104-92 home win over Jiangsu in the last round of the regular season of 2017-2018 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

"I didn't know I would meet so many people with so much love," Marbury said after the game. "Yes, China, you are love, you are in my heart and my basketball career.

"The last nine years, without the support of you guys, none of this would be possible. I love you all, and, of course, I want to thank God most of all for giving me more than my heart desired. Thank you all. Love is love."

Stephon Marbury waves after his retirement match in Beijing. /VCG Photo

After playing in the NBA for 14 years, Marbury came to the CBA in 2010 and received three championship rings in four seasons.

Outside the playing court, he also achieved a lot in China. In 2015, a 300-square-foot museum in Beijing called "The House of Marbury" was devoted to his career. He got a foreigner's permanent residence card in 2016 and he purchased the Beijing Lions of the China Arena Football League last year.

Stephon Marbury poses with his CBA Championship ring. /VCG Photo

His achievements and personality have attracted a lot of fans over the world.

"Marbury influenced and inspired us a lot," said Shi Linjie, Jiangsu Dragons general manager. "Since he first won the championship with Beijing a few years ago, the value of the CBA has improved a lot. I always ask my players to be equally competitive when they are on the court, and I told them to try their best in this game. That is the biggest sign of respect for Stephon."

Marbury now plans to pour his energy into working with China's next generation as a basketball coach. So although he's hanging up his playing shoes, this is not necessarily the end, but rather, a new beginning.