Former New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury is stepping up for his city amidst the Corona Virus spread. The Brooklyn native told the New York Post that he has made a deal with a Chinese mask supplier to provide 10 million N-95 masks for New York doctors, first responders, and other hospital workers.
Marbury, who played for the New York Knicks for 5 seasons from 2003-2009, was born and raised in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn. Marbury said that the idea began to form last week when he learned about how dangerously low the city was on protective equipment and the high prices they were paying for masks. The masks he’s providing will cost $2.75, much cheaper than the $7.50 that the N-95 masks normally cost.
After 15 seasons in the NBA, Marbury played in China where he became a basketball legend. His former team, the Beijing Ducks created a life-sized statue of him after he led them to a championship in 2012.
Clearly, Marbury has connections in China. He used them to help out his hometown. Speaking about the situation, Marbury said,
“At the end of the day, I am from Brooklyn… I have family there in Coney Island, a lot of families… who are affected by this, so I know how important it is for people to have masks during this time.â€
Marbury has been in touch with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams who said that the masks will be delivered over 5 weeks, 2 million each week.