Lincoln High School star Sebastian Telfair – Stephon Marbury’s cousin – thinks Marbury’s trade to the Knicks yesterday will re-ignite the superstar point guard’s NBA career.

“It’s going to make him play better,” Telfair said.

“He always talked about playing for the Knicks at the Garden. It’s the dream for every New York City point guard, and it was true with him, too.”

Telfair spent a lot of time in the Lincoln gym watching Marbury star for the Railsplitters in the 1990’s. Now Telfair has a chance to see him up close again, and he couldn’t be happier.

“I can’t believe it,” Telfair said. “It’s where he always wanted to play, and for it to finally happen is great.”

Telfair said he hadn’t spoken with Marbury since the trade, but heard of it before it was finalized.

“Growing up with him playing in front of me helped a lot and taught me how to handle things,” Telfair said.

Lincoln head coach Dwayne Morton, who was an assistant during Marbury’s final two years, was equally enthused by the trade.

“This is the perfect time for this to happen,'” Morton said. “If anything, it’s overdue. The Knicks need someone exciting like him.”

Morton hopes to get Marbury to make at least one more trip to his alma mater.

“It’s about time he got his number retired here,” Morton said. “Now is the right time.”