Marbury 'super excited' after talent pass slam dunk

Stacy Shi

Former NBA player Stephon Marbury's application under the Top Talent Pass Scheme was approved in a "record-breaking" 24 hours, as he is "super excited" to call Hong Kong his third home, Marbury said on social media.

The 46-year-old basketball pro, who played in the National Basketball Association from 1996 to 2009, applied on Monday for admission under the scheme's category A, which requires applicants to have an annual income of HK$2.5 million or more in the year preceding the date of application.

The legendary basketball player played for a Shanxi and a Foshan team under the Chinese Basketball Association before settling in Beijing in 2011. He became an honorary citizen of Beijing in 2014 and received a Chinese green card.

Marbury wrote that he was amazed that the application was granted "in a record-breaking 24 hours" and that he is excited about coming to Hong Kong more often and helping spread basketball knowledge and culture.

"Hong Kong will be my third home, in addition to my second home in Beijing," he added.

Marbury also said that he has become the ambassador of InspiringHK Sports Foundation, to explore new resources and opportunities with the aim of assisting grassroot youngsters in fulfilling their sports dreams.

"I believe Hong Kong has great potential in basketball, and the future lies with these kids," Marbury said.

Marbury believes that "basketball can bring one everywhere," and he would leave all his basketball knowledge in China in return, where he got his salvation.

Meanwhile, in a written reply to election committee lawmaker Tan Yueheng yesterday, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said about 55,000 applications had been received under the scheme in the first 10 months of this year, of which 9,782 of 15,149 Category A applications were approved.

"Around half of the approved applicants under Category A come from the nine industry segments covered by the Talent List. They, after arrival in Hong Kong engaging in relevant industries for development, will help supplement the manpower to meet the requirements of these industries," Sun said.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com