John Starks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
John Starks

Starks at Madison Square Garden in 2013
No. 30, 3, 9
Shooting guard
Personal information
Born	(1965-08-10) August 10, 1965 (age 59) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
High school	Central (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College	Northern Oklahoma (1985) Oklahoma JC (1986–1987) Oklahoma State (1987–1988)
NBA Draft	1988 / Undrafted
Pro career	1988–2002
Coaching career	2003–2003
Career history
As player:
1988–1989	Golden State Warriors
1989–1990	Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets
1990	Memphis Rockers
1990–1998	New York Knicks
1999–2000	Golden State Warriors
2000	Chicago Bulls
2000–2002	Utah Jazz
As coach:
2003	Westchester Wildfire
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Star (1994) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1993) NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1997) CBA All-Star (1990)
Career NBA statistics
Points	10,829 (12.5 ppg)
Rebounds	2,129 (2.5 rpg)
Assists	3,085 (3.6 apg)

John Levell Starks (born August 10, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). John Starks was not chosen in the 1988 NBA draft after playing for four different colleges in Oklahoma. He became an NBA All-Star while playing for the New York Knicks in the 1990s.

Early Life and College Journey

John Starks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He went to Tulsa Central High School. He played basketball for only one year there.

After high school, he went to Rogers State College in 1984. He was part of the basketball team's "taxi squad." These players were backups for injured or suspended teammates. They watched games from the stands. Starks later transferred to Northern Oklahoma College in spring 1985. He made the basketball team there. In the fall of 1985, he scored about 11 points per game. He then left Northern Oklahoma.

Starks enrolled at Tulsa Junior College in the summer of 1986. He wanted to study business. While playing basketball for fun, he caught the eye of Ken Trickey. Trickey was a former coach who was starting a new basketball program. Starks played for him for one season. In 1988, he earned a scholarship to Oklahoma State University. He finished his college basketball career there.

Professional Basketball Career

Starting with the Golden State Warriors

John Starks was not picked in the 1988 NBA draft. This means no team chose him. However, he signed with the Golden State Warriors in September 1988. He joined as a free agent, which means he was not tied to any team. The Warriors had already drafted another shooting guard, Mitch Richmond. So, Starks played only a few minutes in 36 games.

Playing in Other Leagues

Before joining the Knicks, Starks played in other basketball leagues. He played for the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets in the Continental Basketball Association (1989–90). He also played for the Memphis Rockers in the World Basketball League (1990–91).

Becoming a Star with the New York Knicks

Starks in 1996 with the New York Knicks

In 1990, John Starks tried out for the New York Knicks. During a practice, he injured his knee. Because of this injury, the Knicks could not release him from his contract. Starks often said that this injury, and his teammate Patrick Ewing, saved his career.

Starks eventually became the starting shooting guard for the Knicks. He was a very important player for eight seasons, from 1990 to 1998. He was known for his tough and physical style of play. In 1992, he took part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

"The Dunk" and the 1994 NBA Finals

One of Starks' most famous plays is known as "The Dunk." It happened in Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks were playing against the Chicago Bulls. Starks was in the corner of the court. He faked a move to the left. Then, he drove along the baseline. He dunked the ball with his left hand over two Bulls players, Horace Grant and Michael Jordan. It was an amazing play!

The 1994 NBA Finals were a tough time for Starks. The Knicks played against the Houston Rockets. In Game 3, Starks was fouled while trying to shoot a three-pointer. He made both free throws, but the Rockets won. The Knicks then saw the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup on their home court. This inspired the Knicks to take a 3–2 lead in their series.

However, in Game 6, Rockets player Hakeem Olajuwon blocked Starks' last-second three-point shot. The Rockets won that game. In Game 7, Starks had a very difficult game. He made only 2 of his 18 shots. The Rockets won the game and the championship.

Later Years with the Knicks

In 1995, Starks made history. He was the first player to make 200 three-pointers in one season. His coach, Pat Riley, left the Knicks that year. The Knicks hired a new coach, Don Nelson. Nelson decided to start Hubert Davis instead of Starks. Nelson was later replaced by Jeff Van Gundy.

In 1996, Allan Houston took Starks' starting spot. Starks became a key player coming off the bench. In 1997, he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. This award goes to the best player who usually does not start the game.

On February 18, 1997, Starks made a thrilling shot. He hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to win the game against the Phoenix Suns. He grabbed a missed shot, got to the three-point line, and shot just as the game clock ran out. The basket counted, and the Knicks won 95–94.

Returning to Golden State

In January 1999, Starks was traded back to the Golden State Warriors. He played for them until February 2000. Then, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls.

Short Time with the Chicago Bulls

Starks played only four games for the Chicago Bulls in the 1999–2000 season. He was later released by the Bulls.

Finishing His Career with the Utah Jazz

John Starks ended his playing career with the Utah Jazz. He played for them from 2000 to 2002.

Life After Basketball

After his time with the Utah Jazz, John Starks retired from playing basketball in 2002. He had scored 10,829 points in his career.

Today, he works for the Knicks as an alumnus and fan development official. He also works as an analyst for Knicks games on MSG Network. He was also a coach for a Slamball team called the Maulers. In 2003, he coached the Westchester Wildfire in the United States Basketball League. His book, John Starks: My Life, was published in 2004.

Starks is also a part-owner and promoter for Ektio basketball shoes. These shoes were designed to help prevent ankle injuries. He also owns a car dealership called John Starks Kia in New York.

John Starks' Legacy

John Starks was known for his strong will to win. His exciting plays, like "The Dunk," made him a favorite among fans in New York. Many people consider him one of the greatest Knicks players ever.

Starks holds the Knicks' record for the most three-point field goals, with 982. He was also the first player in NBA history to make 200 three-pointers in one season. He made 217 three-pointers during the 1994–95 NBA season. This broke a record that had stood since 1968. Later, Dennis Scott and then Stephen Curry broke Starks' record. Starks was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once, in the 1992–93 season.

Personal Life

John Starks' mother was part Muscogee, making him one-eighth Muscogee. On December 13, 1986, John Starks married his wife, Jackie. They have one son and two daughters.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: John Starks para niños

• List of National Basketball Association career playoff 3-point scoring leaders
• Knicks–Heat rivalry
• Bulls–Knicks rivalry