BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ex-NBA star Stephon Marbury offically announced that he would hang up his sneakers here on Sunday, before the start of the last regular season match of the 2017/18 China Basketball Association (CBA).

The 40-year-old veteran announced his retirement in a brief press conference and revealed his future plans to make a contribution to the development of Chinese basketball.

"It's been a blessing to see how basketball has continued to grow and develop in this country in the past nine years. I hope my spirit and the way how I played the game can affect the younger generation," said Marbury.

"In the future I'll give my best and my love for the game to the younger generation here in China. That's my obligation." He added.

The point guard began his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1996 and was later a two-time All-Star, first for the New Jersey Nets then the Phoenix Suns, before joining his hometown New York Knicks from 2004-2009.

Considered the greatest foreign player to ever play in CBA, Marbury started his CBA career in 2010 in Shanxi and settled with the Beijing Ducks from 2011 to 2017, helping the Ducks win three CBA crowns in 2012, 2014 and 2015.