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NBA star Marbury commits to Chinese club

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-29 01:53

TAIYUAN - Former NBA All-Star guard Stephon Marbury committed himself to Shanxi Zhongyu club of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Wednesday.

Marbury, who arrived Sunday night at Shanxi Zhongyu's headquarter in Taiyuan, China, confirmed to the media that he would stay with the CBA team, rather than responding to NBA Miami Heat's call.

"Shanxi Zhongyu makes a quality offer," explained Marbury.

The Chinese club signed a three-year contract with the former Phoenix Suns guard, with an option for Marbury to become a semi-coach in the third year, but declined to release financial details.

In respect of the commercial part of the deal, the club will help Marbury promote the sale of his personal sneakers brand in China.

"It is a mutual beneficial cooperation. Marbury is a great player and he also enjoys the conditions offered by the club," said Zhang Beihai, deputy manager general of the Shanxi Zhongyu basketball team.

Also introduced new head coach Gao Shumin and other four big names to the squad, Shanxi Zhongyu has expected Marbury to lead the team into the playoffs in the upcoming season.

Just five days ago, Marbury played down a possible return to the NBA courts and said he was still looking for a chance to play in China again.

The guard said the Heat contacted him through the player association of the NBA before LeBron James announced he would join in Miami on a live televesion show.

"They (the Heat) wanted a point guard. But I don't think a point guard would do much in the team as they've already had the Three Guys (Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh)," he told Chinese website tom.com.

The 33-year-old Marbury, who played a half season with the Shanxi Zhongyu last season, averaged 19.3 points, 7.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds in his 13 years in the NBA.