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Stephon Marbury aiming for NBA comeback, leaving Chinese Basketball Association

By Alex Butler
Stephon Marbury holds a Starbury sneaker before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest 101st anniversary on July 4 in Coney Island. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Stephon Marbury holds a Starbury sneaker before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest 101st anniversary on July 4 in Coney Island. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Former New York Knicks star Stephon Marbury is ready for an NBA comeback.

The 40-year-old former NBA All-Star took to social media Tuesday to talk about retiring from basketball. But first, he wants to play one final season in the United States.

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Marbury averaged 19.3 points, 7.6 assists and 3 rebounds per game during his 13-year NBA career. The No. 4 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft suited up for the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns and Knicks before playing his final season in 2008 for the Boston Celtics.

He has been playing in China since 2010, winning two CBA titles with the Beijing Ducks.

"It's time to combine. My next move is the best move. Working on the come back to the #nba," Marbury tweeted Tuesday.

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After Twitter exploded with mostly positive reactions, Marbury confirmed the move with a video.

"Yes. It's true. A NBA comeback is coming. Love is love," he wrote on an Instagram caption.

"I'm making a #nba come back for the fans who want to see me play my last year as a pro," Marbury wrote. "After hearing so many people say come back I finally prayed about it and gave it major thought. I thought the perfect ending would of been retiring with the Beijing Ducks but it's clear the GM had other thoughts which is fine. My love for the ducks will always be A1 from day 1."

"I still have a lot of go in me as a player and at 40 being able to play at a high level is a gift. Being able to stay mentally focused and physically fit takes a different type of discipline. I'm motivated to make this the best year of my career as I end a 21 year long journey in the game I love. It's been a blessing to play 13 years in the @nba and this year 9 years in the @cbachina China has groomed my game and my style of play. China made me sharp and consistent. We practice Monday-Wed from 9-11:45 and 3-5:45. Thursday one practice 9-11:45 and Friday-Sat same schedule as M-W. I thought I would die at first coming from the NBA where you can't practice that long before the season starts. Oh and we do that for over 40 days. This way of training can either break you or make you. I'd like to look at it as it made me. So I'm ready and prepared to take on a challenge I once faced but with chips under my belt along with all that has come with winning chips in China. Statues, museum, green card, Honorary citizen, ambassador for the environmental protection bureau, key to the city, only 30 people ever to receive the key to the city of Beijing and MY PEACE something no one can ever take. So with all of these things I feel complete and ready to turn towards the last page of my basketball dairy that I've been writing since 95 when I left Lincoln High. I thank all of the positive energy from all those who showed it throughout my time away from the NBA. Thank you for always keeping it 100. @stephonmarbury_3 @espn @marcjspears @nytimes @nypost @nydailynews @newsday@slamonline #starburymovement #starbuy #loveislove."

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Marbury won a CBA Finals MVP, a CBA Foreign MVP award and was a six-time All-Star. He was an NBA All-Star in 2000 and 2002. During his 2012 CBA season, Marbury posted 29.5 points per game.

I'm making a #nba come back for the fans who want to see me play my last year as a pro. After hearing so many people say come back I finally prayed about it and gave it major thought. I thought the perfect ending would of been retiring with the Beijing Ducks but it's clear the GM had other thoughts which is fine. My love for the ducks will always be A1 from day 1. I still have a lot of go in me as a player and at 40 being able to play at a high level is a gift. Being able to stay mentally focused and physically fit takes a different type of discipline. I'm motivated to make this the best year of my career as I end a 21 year long journey in the game I love. It's been a blessing to play 13 years in the @nba and this year 9 years in the @cbachina China has groomed my game and my style of play. China made me sharp and consistent. We practice Monday-Wed from 9-11:45 and 3-5:45. Thursday one practice 9-11:45 and Friday-Sat same schedule as M-W. I thought I would die at first coming from the NBA where you can't practice that long before the season starts. Oh and we do that for over 40 days. This way of training can either break you or make you. I'd like to look at it as it made me. So I'm ready and prepared to take on a challenge I once faced but with chips under my belt along with all that has come with winning chips in China. Statues, museum, green card, Honorary citizen, ambassador for the environmental protection bureau, key to the city, only 30 people ever to receive the key to the city of Beijing and MY PEACE something no one can ever take. So with all of these things I feel complete and ready to turn towards the last page of my basketball dairy that I've been writing since 95 when I left Lincoln High. I thank all of the positive energy from all those who showed it throughout my time away from the NBA. Thank you for always keeping it 100. @stephonmarbury_3 @espn @marcjspears @nytimes @nypost @nydailynews @newsday @slamonline #starburymovement #starbuy #loveislove

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A post shared by Starbury.com (@starburymarbury) on

Memphis Grizzlies forward Vince Carter, 40, is the only active NBA player older than Marbury.

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