Marbury suspended a game, to serve 10 days

[#1MavsFan]

Marbury suspended a game, to serve 10 days

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Associated Press

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns guard Stephon Marbury was suspended for one game by the NBA and will serve 10 days in jail after pleading no contest Friday to extreme driving under the influence.


Marbury, who entered the plea in Scottsdale Municipal Court, also agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and attend alcohol education classes. He was scheduled to start serving the sentence Saturday, according to court records.


"Rather than extend this process and try to avoid my obligations, I fully intend to serve the required penalty levied by the court,'' Marbury said in a statement released by the Suns.


Marbury will sit out Phoenix's season opener at Seattle on Oct. 30. He also will match his one-game suspension fine amount in the form of a charitable contribution to alcohol abuse and awareness programs, the Suns said.


"Most important to me, however, is that the message be heard loud and clear that I was wrong to do what I did,'' Marbury's statement read. "I am fortunate no one was hurt by my actions. I pledge I will do what I can through personal and financial outreach to heighten the awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.''


Marbury, acquired a year ago by the Suns in the trade that sent Jason Kidd to New Jersey, was stopped Feb. 8 while driving his Bentley convertible 25 miles above the speed limit on a busy Scottsdale street. He registered a 0.18 blood alcohol level, more than twice Arizona's legal limit. A level about 0.15 is considered extreme DUI.


Suns president Bryan Colangelo said that while he was disappointed in Marbury's actions, "I do believe he has learned a great deal from this experience and that he is regretful for his actions.''