Photo by TJ Dragotta on Unsplash

Whether you admire or despise John Starks for his iconic dunk in the ’93 playoffs or his struggles in game 7 of the ’94 finals, one thing is certain – he’s a well-known figure in the world of professional basketball.

But here’s the surprising part: Starks wasn’t supposed to achieve that level of success. The odds, logic, and expectations were all stacked against him, with many coaches from his high school, junior college, and even his first NBA coach, Don Nelson, doubting his potential.

Despite Nelson initially giving Starks a roster spot, he quickly rescinded it. To truly understand the journey of John Starks before he became the renowned player for the New York Knicks, let’s take a closer look: