He then worked bagging groceries at Safeway for $3.35 an hour, where an elderly coworker advised him: "Son, this is not what you wanna do for the rest of your life."
That advice motivated Starks to enroll at Tulsa Junior College in 1986, eventually earning a scholarship to Oklahoma State University.
He averaged 15.4 points per game but went undrafted in 1988, playing briefly for the Golden State Warriors and in minor leagues before trying out for the Knicks in 1990.
On the final day of training camp, Starks attempted a poster dunk over Patrick Ewing and suffered a knee injury, which legally prevented the Knicks from cutting him.
The injury allowed him to stay with the team through rehab, where his work ethic secured a permanent roster spot.
>>> Knicks Secure Halftime Lead in Game 2
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers is scheduled for Thursday at 8:00 pm ET at Madison Square Garden.
