The imminent arrival of NBA player Stephon Marbury has boosted morale at battlingChinese Basketball Association (CBA) club Shanxi Zhongyu.

A two-time NBA All-star and former national team member, Marbury (pictured) will be the highest-rated United States player to take part in the CBA, surpassing Bonzi Wells, who signed with Shanxi last season but left before the end of the regular season.

The team's coach, Wu Qinglong, expects the 32-year-old point guard to lead the team, which has a three-win, nine-loss record, back into the hunt for the playoffs.