'CBA could be good next step for college stars'

The Chinese Basketball Association would provide a decent professional option for US college players in the near future, Stephon Marbury said.

"The league has grown dramatically and it will continue to grow," said the former NBA All-Star, who won the CBA championship with the Beijing Ducks last year.

"As this market continues to grow, you can see one day the No 1 player in college (in the US) come to China because the platform has been built. That's what I foresee one day."

When the New Yorker joined the CBA in 2010, he envisioned more high-profile NBA players would be lured to China - and that happened more quickly than many expected.

Prime players like Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith plied their trade in China two seasons ago before seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady became a crowd favorite in every Chinese city he visited last year.

Some role players, like Terrence Williams, D.J. White and Shavlik Randolph, earned contracts with NBA teams after their stints in China, while Smith won the Sixth Man of the Year Award last month.

"I think China has a lot to do with it," Marbury said of Smith's improvement. "He wasn't really able to play the way how he did in China. (After playing in China) he got his game sharp and went in the right direction by playing in the NBA the way he played here."

As for his Beijing Ducks, Marbury is confident they will bring more titles to the capital city, despite the team's elimination in the semifinals last season.

"Going into next season, (losing to Shandong) will be a chip on our shoulder and a reason to make us consistent.

"Of course, I see the chance for the Ducks to build a franchise like perennial champion Guangdong has."

At 36, Marbury says he believes he can play at a high level for at least three more years and still has room to improve.

"I will try to increase my speed by going through another tough offseason with my trainer in LA," he said.

(China Daily 05/09/2013 page22)