Allen Iverson May Follow Path of Stephon Marbury, Try to Become Basketball Star in China

Someday, Allen Iverson may be memorialized in bronze in front of a nation of billions.

That's what happened to Stephon Marbury, after all, and Iverson appears to be ready to follow in his footsteps. Iverson has said he wants to continue playing professional
basketball despite a lack of interest from NBA teams.

Marbury has made a name for himself playing basketball in China, winning a championship and drawing such praise from local fans that he already has a statue in his honor.

Iverson could do the same if his repeated attempts to return to the NBA remain unfruitful.

"I definitely want to return to the NBA, but if I can't get back there, I'm hoping to play ball here [China]," he told NetEase, a Chinese publication, as translated by hoopshype.com.

While Iverson hasn't exactly scouted the Chinese league, he did set a standard for what could make him settle down in Asia.

"I'm not leaning towards any one team, and there's no 'first choice,' " he said. "… China is still one of my choices, but the team that wants me to join has got to show me that they really mean it, like, 'Hey, we really need you.' "

Behind every washed-up NBA star looking to make a comeback, there's a cry for appreciation. Maybe putting up a statue ahead of time would close the deal.