John Starks

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is John Starks: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

From bagging groceries at a Tulsa Safeway to the All-Star Game — Starks bounced through four Oklahoma colleges, went undrafted in 1988, and clawed his way onto the Knicks in 1990. There he authored 'The Dunk' over Michael Jordan in the 1993 playoffs, became the first player with 200 three-pointers in a season, and won Sixth Man of the Year in 1997. He closed his career with the Jazz in 2000–02.

Even his Knicks break was luck — he hurt his knee trying to dunk on Patrick Ewing in practice, so New York could not release him. Starks called Ewing his saving grace.

HOW HE CAME & WENTChicago released him in 2000 and he signed with Utah that August using the mid-level exception. He said the Jazz simply told him he was their guy, while other clubs attached conditions. He retired after two seasons.

Full name

John Levell Starks

Utah Jazz tenure

2000–02

Position

Guard

Born

1965, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Height

6′3″ (191 cm)

Weight

181 lb (82 kg)

College

Oklahoma State

Drafted

undrafted