Georgetown's Markel Starks Gives Offensive Burst

        Georgetown is one of the nation's top defensive teams, ranking 14th best in locking down their opponents, but point guard Markel Starks is turning the Hoyas into an offensive team.

        Now a junior, Starks was once a highly-touted recruit, but sat in a crowded backcourt in an offensive system not known for showcasing point guard talents. Starks is taking a twist on this Princeton-style offense, taking control of the ball in the halfcourt to set up teammates and penetrate into the lane when everything breaks down.

        Starks has career-highs across the board this season, 12.2 points (on a team that scores only 64 per game, 244th in the country), 2.9 assists to just 1.5 turnovers and chipping in with 1.2 steals. However, in the last four games, Starks has upped his play even further with 16.5 points per game.

        Starks' presence has taken some of the pressure off do-it-all forward Otto Porter and scouts in attendance to watch Porter have taken notice of the improved point guard prospect in Markel Starks.


By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 2 -17 13