From playing in the NBA to building a legacy in China, Stephon Marbury’s basketball journey is inspiring. So when it came to his son, who struggled to find his pace in the initial days, he knew how to motivate him. His son even had to undergo hip surgery during high school. One month after Stephon Marbury II announced his commitment to the University of California, Berkeley, Marbury shared the advice he gave to his son to motivate him.

During his conversation with Shaquille O’Neal on his podcast, Marbury recalled his words of encouragement to his son. “I told him when he was having it when he had surgery, I was like, ‘Dude, you’re a late bloomer and I have to tell you as son that it’s hard but the reality is if I don’t tell you, you won’t know because you will think and believe something else.’ So for him to be able to have this opportunity to go to Cal, we just, we’re super thankful and to be able to witness it,” Marbury said on the Big Podcast.

While Marbury alluded to his son that being a late bloomer is tough, he advised that his current opportunity is a reminder of his hard work and dedication. COVID-19 was hard on everybody, including young Marbury. However, his hip surgery made things difficult for him and he had to miss two to three years.

When he finally got back in the game, Starbury advised his son to take the opportunity to join the University of Cal as a blessing. He stated that, unlike highly pressured top recruits, he can focus on his game without the same intense expectations.

He wasn’t able to get the same development process and time as other kids. And despite the hurdles, he managed to be the preferred walk-on at one of the most prestigious institutions, the University of California, Berkeley.

Stephon Marbury is proud of his son

The recruiting sites such as 247Sports didn’t rank the player. However, the highlights of his game showed his speed and ability to score. That speaks volumes about his skill set. The entire Marbury family is proud of the DME guard as they took to social media to express their gratitude.

The young Marbury made the announcement on his social media. “My basketball journey and the Marbury Legacy continues. I’m blessed and grateful to announce that I will be a PWO at the University of Cal Berkeley,” Starbury wrote.

The elder Marbury had an impressive college career playing with Georgia Tech, where he even led the team to Regional Semi-finals in the NCAA tournament. After his playing days in the NBA, he joined the CBA and won the Championship in 2012. Excited to watch his son step into the college phase, Marbury wrote, “My little man is about to step into a new realm. God is great!”

Just as Marbury mentioned, despite having faced hurdles in the past, this is a great opportunity for the young star to show his talents. And Marbury Jr. seems determined to do so.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.