Story by
"Escaping bullets to the NBA" - Stephon Marbury reflects on his Coney Island roots
- Story by
- "Escaping bullets to the NBA" - Stephon Marbury reflects on his Coney Island roots
Before he rose to NBA stardom, Stephon Marbury's story of growing up in the projects of Coney Island is still one of the most foundational tales of New York City hoops.
As the second-to-last child in a family of seven kids, Starbury's early life was defined by immense hype, unprecedented talent, and streetball status, which labeled Steph a superstar before he even finished middle school.
Advertisement
At age 11, Marbury was already a nationwide prospect due to his advanced ball-handling skills and shooting prowess, the result of an unparalleled work ethic and discipline that enabled him to navigate the intense violence and distractions of the hood.
Not long after he graduated from high school, Steph already rose above everyone's expectations, showing impeccable play from the first day.
Marbury opens up about the struggles of growing up in Brooklyn
In a recent interview with the NBAT2 channel on YouTube, Marbury looked back on his flashy high school highlights, reflecting on his difficult upbringing.
Advertisement
"Seeing those basketball clips jogs my memory from all of the things that I did from the root," said Marbury. "Doing something that's truly positive. Playing basketball, not selling drugs, not getting into violence, not carrying guns. Literally trying to do something positive, while living and navigating inside of the mess, the projects, where the violence is crazy, escaping bullets to go from there to the NBA is pretty amazing."
Starbury's journey to the NBA was destiny
Before Marbury reached the highest level of basketball, his older brothers laid the foundation for becoming a hooper, and he was guided every step of the way.
Advertisement
"I had one older brother who played for Georgia University, another who played for Texas A&M, another played for St. Francis. So, I had older brothers before me, who was watching me, teaching me, and tellin' me all of the things I needed to do to get to this place and space."
While his brothers failed to reach the NBA, they were keen on protecting and teaching Stephon how to navigate the difficulties basketball can bring, while also training him to become the best he could be.
It would all pay off by his senior year of high school, when Starbury led his Abraham Lincoln High School team to the National Championship, averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 3 steals throughout the season. After being named a McDonald's All-American, New York's Mr. Basketball, and the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Steph chose to attend Georgia Tech University for his only collegiate year.
Advertisement
After a highly successful individual year in the NCAA, Marbury's 18.9 points and 4.5 assists per game earned him a high draft stock position, where he didn't think twice about declaring for the 1996 NBA Draft, where he was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks , before ultimately getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves .
A polarizing NBA stint
Although he had an elite individual NBA career, averaging 19.3 points and 7.6 assists per game and showcasing his signature streetball flair, Marbury's time in the league was marked by intense media scrutiny and clashes within the organizations he played for.
Advertisement
After the duo of Starbury and Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves to the franchise's first-ever playoff appearances, Stephon demanded a trade midway through his third season after wanting to play in a larger market and being jealous of KG's $126 million extension.
Soon after, he was dealt to the New Jersey Nets , where Starbury would have his career years with the franchise, averaging 23 points and 8.1 assists per game, earning his first All-Star nod in 2001. However, the team wanted to head in another direction after failing to reach the playoffs and traded him to the Phoenix Suns for Jason Kidd.
In a Suns uniform, Marbury's production and signature style remained at an elite level, making him one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. Despite his highlight-reel playstyle, the team sent him to the New York Knicks in 2004 as part of a salary dump trade.
Advertisement
Stephon Marbury with the Knicks in 2008. Mandatory credit: © Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
One would think playing in your hometown would be a dream come true. For Marbury, however, it was the toughest stretch of his career, as he called it. Following years of clashes with the team's multiple coaches, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, and Mike D'Antoni, as well as dealing with high media scrutiny, Starbury found his way out of the league in 2010.
Not long after his exit from the NBA, Steph completely revived his life and career by moving to China and suiting up for the Beijing Ducks, where he became a sports icon, even rejecting a $20 million return to the NBA . For once, Starbury received the love and appreciation for his game from Chinese fans, who consider him a CBA legend and hero.
Advertisement
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
