NBA star to open training base in Xiamen
(chinadaily.com.cn), Updated: 2018-11-01
Former NBA star Stephon Marbury plans to establish a young basketballer training base in Xiamen, Fujian province, with local Luqiao Sports Industry Group. [Photo/sunnews.cn] |
Former NBA star Stephon Marbury is planning to open a training base in Xiamen, Fujian province, he announced during a recent visit to the city.
Marbury played in the NBA (National Basketball Association) from 1996 to 2009 and was an NBA All-Star in 2001 and 2003. From 2010 to 2018, he played in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The former NBA star visited Xiamen recently to discuss cooperation with the local Luqiao Sports Industry Group.
The two sides plan to establish a young basketballer training base in Xiamen named after Marbury and to launch more basketball competitions in the near future.
Marbury was positive about his cooperation with Luqiao.
He said in an interview with local media that he believes both sides can benefit from the cooperation as the Xiamen company settles down to advance the local sports industry supported by his abundant resources in the NBA and CBA.
Unlike the nominal role assumed by an active player, the retired basketballer will be part of the base's daily training routines and will personally coach young players with potential.
"I'll treat each child as my own and teach them how to play basketball properly," Marbury said. "I'm dedicated to training young basketball players in China and hope to train more talented players for the CBA and NBA."
The Xiamen Luqiao Sports Industry Group, founded in March this year, is a State-owned company with the aim of completing Xiamen's sports infrastructure, promoting the local sports industry's integration with other industries and creating a water sports culture for the city.