Marbury launches program

The season's over, but Stephon Marbury is still busy.

Fresh off winning a CBA title with the Beijing Ducks, Marbury spent the past week touring China for charity initiatives and launching his autobiography. Next he'll follow through on another goal - hosting his own youth basketball clinic for Chinese enthusiasts.

"I am honored to be able to make something happen for basketball coaching in China," Marbury said during the launch of his training camp at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports on Saturday.

"I think it's a great opportunity to continue to build the legacy of basketball here. It's important for me to help the growth, for the future of basketball, which is beloved here."

Founded by Marbury and Zhongxinghe Sports & Culture Co Ltd, the training program will draft young players from primary and high schools in Beijing through a professional evaluation system, and host intensive skills clinics while organizing exhibition games over the next five years.

This year's event, which will be staged in five different schools in Chaoyang district over the summer, will start its recruitment on May 20.

The program will feature a combination of Chinese and American development philosophies as Wang Shouheng, professor of basketball training for CUPES, will provide tailor-made sessions to go along with the advanced NBA methods.

"As an activist in this field for more than 30 years, I am thrilled to work with Marbury at his camp as the consultant," Wang said.

"There are so many young kids who love the game in Beijing, but not so many paths for amateurs to go professional. I hope this camp will provide a chance for those to realize their dreams like Marbury did."

After a short holiday in New York, Marbury flew to China last month for a three-game exhibition tour against a team of American players, including former NBA MVP Allen Iverson.

Mabury continued to travel the country, visiting poverty-stricken children in rural areas in Yunnan and Anhui provinces on a charity tour, before returning to Beijing on Thursday for the clinic launch.

Marbury said he enjoyed the busy schedule, which gives him a chance to pay China back.

"For what this country has done for me, it's so small for what I am about to do for the basketball players in China," he said.

According to his agent, Marbury will return to the US for a simple surgery on his toe next Thursday and come back to Beijing in July.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn