Marbury takes his last bow

Marbury left the Ducks at the end of last season to join crosstown rivals the Fly Dragons, but failed to lead them to the playoffs. He thanked the Fly Dragons for signing him at the age of 40.

"I'm so thankful to Beikong for allowing me to play my last season in Beijing; at the end you gave me my final wish. I wanted to play basketball at 40 years old in China and it happened. Thank you!"

Bold declaration

Before the 2011-12 season, Marbury declared his aim to bring a championship to the Beijing Ducks.

The Ducks opened the season with a 13-0 run and, spurred by Marbury, advanced to their first CBA Finals, facing the seven-time champion Guangdong Southern Tigers.

After the Ducks won the title in May 2012, a statue of Marbury was unveiled on the lawn of Beijing's Wukesong Arena, originally the 2008 Olympic basketball venue.

Winning three championships made Marbury a household name in China. Moreover, the Brooklyn native was named by the Beijing government as its 30th honorary citizen in 2014, joining notable figures like former president of International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge.

Marbury was named one of the capital's Top 10 Model Citizens that year.