Former NBA star Stephon Marbury, who now plays for China Basketball Association's Beijing Ducks team, left China with a heavy heart on Saturday, though he will not be away for long.

Marbury will be spending a month with his family in the United States after successfully leading the Ducks to victory in the CBA championship in late March.

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A series of celebrations were held in honor of the Ducks who flew past the Xinjiang Flying Tigers for the 2014 title, their second CBA championship, due mainly to the sterling performance of Marbury who dropped 28 points in the final game for a 4-2 victory over the Tigers.

Shortly after, Marbury was recognized by the city government of Beijing as an Honorary Citizen of China - a status granted to foreigners whose skills, talent and outstanding work have brought pride to their adoptive country.

"I can't explain in words how I've been feeling from all the love I've been receiving from you Beijing. My heart is so happy and this smile is like light shining. I'm so blessed to have the Beijing spirit. I'm leaving Sat on the 1pm flight. It will be hard to leave this time, as this has been the happiest time in my life. I won't be gone for long but the thought of leaving saddens me in a good way. Please keep me in your prayers, as I will do the same," Marbury wrote in his Weibo account.

Marbury has been playing in China in the last four years after he signed up with the Chinese Basketball Association in 2010. His team, the Beijing Ducks, won the championship in 2012 and 2014.

The Beijing Ducks kicked off the 2011-2012 season with a 13-0 record leading to their Finals match against the 7-time champion Guangdong Southern Tigers.

In contrast to his dismal record at the NBA, Marbury's star shone bright on China's hard court, turning him into a well-loved celebrity among Chinese basketball fans.