A Three Point Slam Dunk!

A Three Point Slam Dunk!

In the final minutes of game two of the 1993 Eastern Conference finals, John Starks took the New York Knicks to a win over Chicago in what would become one of the most memorable dunk-wins in the team’s history. The undrafted basketball pro is now retired from the NBA and continuing to make history, both as an entrepreneur with Zipway Athletic Clothing, an innovative breakaway clothing line that uses zippers instead of the customary snaps, and as a philanthropist with the John Starks Foundation.

The Foundation provides academic scholarships through the Three-Point Scholarship Program to high school seniors that show exemplary academic achievement, a commitment to community service and a financial need and are from Tulsa, John’s hometown, and the New York Tri-state area. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation also provides community programs focused on furthering the educational, recreational and career development of children and their families.

John recently held the Key a Day for 30 Days event sponsored by Rallye Lexus of Glen Cove, a regular supporter of the Foundation’s golf outings since 1999. “It’s important to support causes like this, especially in hard economic times,” says General Sales Manager John Tetta, who was instrumental in organizing the event. “Throughout the years, we have supported about 5,000 children.” Says Starks, “I can’t thank Ralley enough, as well as the people from the community, for all their support.”

One of John’s fondest memories comes from his experience with a young girl in Tulsa who was having problems at home and was in need of a scholarship. “While I was playing with the Utah Jazz, a young woman came up to me and said, ‘You probably don’t remember me.’ She looked familiar. She said, ‘I was the recipient of your scholarship; I just wanted to thank you and I’m now graduating college.’ That says it all, to see how you affect young people’s lives. It’s paying off.” The winner of the $500 a ticket event walked away with a brand new Lexus IS 250 AWD 2-year lease, courtesy of the dealership, and raised $15,000 for John’s charity.

John will be hosting his Casino Night at the Marriot in New York City on March 14 and his annual celebrity classic golf outing on Sept.8. For information on helping to support the John Starks Foundation, visit www.johnstarks.com.