NEW YORK, NY December 07, 2007 —Basketball players and Brooklynites gathered alongside each other to say goodbye to a Coney Island father and coach yesterday. Don Marbury died last weekend, after suffering a heart attack during a game of his Knicks son at Madison Square Garden. WNYC's Richard Hake reports.

The Coney Island Gospel Assembly was awash in flowers and thunderous with spiritual music. Don Marbury coached some of the best street basketball in the city. One mourner, who played high school basketball with the Marbury brothers, called it a rags-to-riches story, a dynasty.

New York Knick Stephon Marbury, 1 of 7 children, said his father left his legacy where he wanted his sons to finish playing - at Madison Square Garden. Mourners included Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas. There were tears and long hugs of embrace as daughter Stephanie brought mourners to their feet with a rousing gospel solo.

Outside the church, a neighborhood resident said Marbury leaves behind a message to Coney Island's kids - anyone, no matter where you live or whatever your background, can strive to become a professional basketball player. For WNYC, I'm Richard Hake.