John Starks Stats: Played 13 seasons in the NBA. He scored 10,829 points and made over 3,000 assists. He played the most years with the New York Knicks. His total NBA earnings were over 25 million US dollars. He was known for his tough style, strong defense, and big moments during games.
John Starks is not one of those players who came into the NBA with a big name. He was not picked in the draft. He worked hard for everything he got. That is part of the reason why many fans still remember him. He was full of energy, he gave his best in every match, and he always stood up for his team.
Many people talk about his big dunk against the Chicago Bulls in 1993. But his career was much more than one moment. He gave Knicks fans many exciting games. His stats and earnings might not match those of the biggest stars, but his impact was strong and lasting.
John Starks Stats: Growing Up and Playing in School
John Starks was born on August 10, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States. Growing up, he loved basketball, but he wasn’t seen as a top talent in the beginning. He moved from one college to another, trying to find where he fit best. He played for Rogers State, Northern Oklahoma, Tulsa Junior College, and later Oklahoma State University.
In college, he started showing signs that he could be a good player. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest, but he played with heart. That drive stayed with him throughout his career.
Getting Into the NBA
After college, Starks wasn’t selected in the NBA Draft. This meant no team picked him to join right away. He had to find another way. He played for small teams in lower leagues like the CBA. Eventually, the Golden State Warriors gave him a chance during the 1988-89 season. He didn’t get much playing time there, but it was his first step into the NBA.
Big Chance with the New York Knicks
In 1990, the New York Knicks gave him a tryout. He wasn’t expected to make the team. But during one practice, he tried to dunk on Patrick Ewing, the team’s star. He got injured in the process, but that moment helped him get noticed. The team couldn’t cut an injured player, so he stayed—and later proved himself on the court.
By the 1991 season, Starks had earned a full role with the Knicks. He became a starter and one of the team’s most trusted players. He was not afraid to shoot, even in tough moments, and he defended some of the best players in the league.
John Starks Stats Over the Years
John Starks played in 866 NBA games. He scored 10,829 points, made 3,085 assists, grabbed 2,129 rebounds, and had 982 steals. He shot 41.2% from the field and 34.5% from the three-point line. He was not the most efficient scorer, but he was never afraid to take a shot.
In the 1993-94 season, he had his best year, scoring almost 19 points per game. That year, he also became an All-Star. He helped lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals, although they lost to the Houston Rockets.
His Defense and Effort
Starks always played hard on defense. He was not the biggest guard, but he used his strength and smarts. He often had to guard the other team’s top scorer. He got almost 1,000 steals in his career and made life difficult for many players. His energy on defense gave his team a lot of confidence.
Shooting from Long Range
Starks was one of the early players to make the three-point shot a big part of his game. In the 1994-95 season, he made 217 three-pointers. At that time, it was the highest number any player had made in one season. Today, players shoot more threes, but back then, that was a big deal.
He liked to take shots when the game was close. Sometimes he made them, sometimes he missed, but he never hid.
The Big Dunk
The moment most fans remember is from Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. Starks drove the ball to the basket and dunked with his left hand over two Chicago Bulls players, one of them being Michael Jordan. That dunk lifted the whole Madison Square Garden crowd.
That one play became part of NBA history. It showed his courage and belief in himself. Even though the Knicks didn’t win the championship that year, that dunk is still talked about today.
How He Played in the Playoffs
Starks helped the Knicks make the playoffs almost every year during the 1990s. He had good moments but also some hard ones. In Game 7 of the 1994 Finals, he had a bad night, shooting just 2-for-18. That loss hurt the team and fans deeply.
But overall, he showed up when it mattered. He never backed down, and he always gave his best.
Achievements and Recognition
In 1994, Starks was chosen for the NBA All-Star Game. That same year, he made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. These were signs of how much he had grown. He went from being undrafted to being one of the top players in the league.
His Years with the Knicks
Starks played eight seasons with the Knicks. That’s where he made his name. He became a fan favorite. New York is a tough city, and Knicks fans respect players who play hard and don’t give up. That’s what they saw in John Starks.
He played with stars like Patrick Ewing and helped make the Knicks a strong team in the 1990s.
Later Teams and Retirement
After leaving the Knicks in 1998, Starks went back to the Golden State Warriors for one season. Then he played for the Chicago Bulls and later the Utah Jazz. He retired in 2002.
Even in his final years, he brought energy and experience to the teams he joined. He was not just there to play—he helped younger players learn the game.
His Best Games
Starks had many great performances. He once scored 41 points in a game against the Washington Bullets. He had many nights with more than 30 points and several games where he made a lot of three-point shots. He also had strong games in the playoffs, showing he could perform under pressure.
How He Compared to Others
Compared to other guards in the 1990s, Starks wasn’t the most talented, but he had heart. Players like Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler had better numbers. But Starks had moments where he outplayed anyone. He didn’t have as many awards, but fans always knew he gave everything he had.
John Starks Stats: Final Career
He scored over 10,000 points and made more than 3,000 assists. His average was 12.5 points per game. Those are solid numbers. He also had good rebounding and steal stats for a guard. He played smart, tough basketball.
How Much Money Did He Make?
John Starks made about 25 million dollars in his NBA career. Here are some of the years and what he earned:
In 1990, he made about $250,000. By 1997, he was making around $5 million a year. In 2000, while playing for the Bulls, he made $6 million. In his final season, he made just over $1 million with the Utah Jazz.
At the time, those were good salaries. Today’s stars make more, but for his time, he did well.
Endorsements and Other Income
Starks had a few small endorsement deals. He worked with shoe brands and appeared in some ads. He didn’t become a global face like Michael Jordan, but in New York, he was well-known. His popularity brought him some extra income off the court.
Life After Basketball
After retiring, Starks stayed close to the game. He joined the Knicks in a front-office role, working with former players and helping with events. He also started a foundation to help young people go to college. He gives back to the community and helps those who need support.
Helping His Community
Starks has always been proud of his roots. Through his foundation, he offers scholarships and helps students. He also visits schools and speaks at events. He wants young people to believe in themselves the way he once believed in his own dream.
Still Part of the Knicks Family
Today, Starks still shows up at Knicks games and team events. He is part of the family. When fans see him at Madison Square Garden, they cheer. He gave them many good memories, and they never forgot.
Should He Be in the Hall of Fame?
Starks is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame, but some fans believe he should be. He didn’t win a title or have superstar stats, but his story matters. He was an example of hard work, belief, and loyalty. Not every great player is a Hall of Famer, but not every Hall of Famer has a story like John Starks.
In Music, Film, and Everyday Talk
Starks is often mentioned in songs, shows, and even by fans talking basketball. He became more than just a player. He became part of the culture, especially in New York. His name still means something to people who watched him play.
What Fans Think of Him
Ask any Knicks fan from the 90s, and they’ll have a story about John Starks. He made them shout, cry, cheer, and sometimes even scream at the TV. But they loved him. They respected his fight and his fire. That’s not something stats can show.
Lessons from His Journey
John Starks showed that you don’t need to be the best from the start. You can still make it if you work hard and never give up. He didn’t take the easy path, but he made it anyway. That’s a lesson many young people can learn from.
From Unknown to All-Star
Not many undrafted players become All-Stars. Starks did. That alone is a big achievement. He showed what’s possible when you have heart.
Some of His Best Nights
He had games with more than 30 points, nights with clutch shots, and times when he was the best player on the court. These games helped build his legacy.
Looking at Advanced Stats
While Starks didn’t always have the highest numbers in shooting or efficiency, he played with energy. His win shares and other stats show he was valuable, even if he wasn’t always the focus.
His Pay Compared to Today
Back in the 1990s, players didn’t earn as much as they do now. If Starks played today and had the same kind of impact, he could easily earn $20 million a year. That shows how much times have changed.
Last Words…John Starks Stats
John Starks was not perfect, but he was real. He worked hard, played with emotion, and never gave up. He gave Knicks fans some of their best memories. His stats and salary may not stand out today, but his legacy does. John Starks Stats reminds us that hard work, belief, and heart still matter in sports and in life.