Panionios has announced their first signing of the summer, bringing in experienced American guard Markel Starks (34 years old, 1.88m) for the upcoming season. Starks, who spent last season with Buyukcekmece in Turkey, will be the team's first foreign player addition.
Player Profile and Recent Season
Anthony Markel Starks II, born on February 21, 1991, is a seasoned point guard known for his scoring, playmaking, and efficient shooting. Last season (2024-25) with Buyukcekmece in the Turkish BSL, he had a strong showing, averaging: 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1 steal. He shot an impressive 42.3% from three-point range in 30 minutes per game. Notably, in a game against Galatasaray on May 24, he recorded a career-high 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, tallying 23 points and 12 assists.
Career Journey
Starks's career spans over a decade in professional basketball, primarily in Europe, following his graduation from Georgetown University in 2014.
Collegiate Career (Georgetown Hoyas, 2010-2014): In his senior year (2013-14), he averaged 17.7 points and 4.1 assists, earning a spot on the Big East First Team.
Early Professional Years (2014-2017):
FMC Ferentino (Italy - Serie A2, 2014-15): 13.0 PPG, 4.2 APG.
Cairns Taipans (Australia - NBL, 2015-16): 12.9 PPG, 2.2 APG.
Vanoli Cremona (Italy - Serie A, 2015-16): 6.4 PPG, 2.0 APG.
Fraport Skyliners (Germany - BBL, 2016-17): 10.8 PPG, 2.0 APG with 40% 3PT shooting.
Koroivos Amaliadas (Greece - A1, 2016-17): 13.6 PPG, 4.9 APG.
Turkish Dominance and European Exposure (2017-2023):
Yalova (Turkey - TBL, 2017-18): A breakout season with 22.2 PPG, 7.3 APG (league's top passer), and 1.9 SPG. He set career highs in scoring (40 points) and assists (16).
Zielona Góra (Poland - PLK & VTB League, 2018-19): Averaged 12.8 PPG and 5.3 APG across both leagues.
Avtodor Saratov (Russia - VTB League, 2019-2021): Maintained strong numbers with 14.4 PPG, 5.9 APG in 2019-20 (leading VTB in free throw percentage at 95%), and 11.2 PPG, 3.6 APG in 2020-21.
Igokea (Bosnia - ABA League & BCL, 2021-22): 10.2 PPG, 5.6 APG in ABA; 12.7 PPG, 6.8 APG in BCL.
Fenerbahce Beko (Turkey - BSL & EuroLeague, 2021-22): Won the Turkish championship. Played in 4 BSL games (11.0 PPG, 4.0 APG) and 4 EuroLeague games (0.8 PPG, 1.5 APG).
Darussafaka (Turkey - BSL & BCL, 2022-23): 11.9 PPG, 3.8 APG in BSL; 10.9 PPG, 4.5 APG in BCL. Recorded a career-best 7 three-pointers in a BSL game.
Recent Seasons (2023-2025):
MoraBanc Andorra (Spain - ACB, 2023-24): 9.0 PPG, 2.7 APG.
Aliaga Petkim Spor (Turkey - BSL, 2023-24): 11.3 PPG, 3.5 APG.
Buyukcekmece (Turkey - BSL, 2024-25)
Collegiate Career (Georgetown Hoyas, 2010-2014): In his senior year (2013-14), he averaged 17.7 points and 4.1 assists, earning a spot on the Big East First Team.
Early Professional Years (2014-2017):
FMC Ferentino (Italy - Serie A2, 2014-15): 13.0 PPG, 4.2 APG.
Cairns Taipans (Australia - NBL, 2015-16): 12.9 PPG, 2.2 APG.
Vanoli Cremona (Italy - Serie A, 2015-16): 6.4 PPG, 2.0 APG.
Fraport Skyliners (Germany - BBL, 2016-17): 10.8 PPG, 2.0 APG with 40% 3PT shooting.
Koroivos Amaliadas (Greece - A1, 2016-17): 13.6 PPG, 4.9 APG.
Turkish Dominance and European Exposure (2017-2023):
Yalova (Turkey - TBL, 2017-18): A breakout season with 22.2 PPG, 7.3 APG (league's top passer), and 1.9 SPG. He set career highs in scoring (40 points) and assists (16).
Zielona Góra (Poland - PLK & VTB League, 2018-19): Averaged 12.8 PPG and 5.3 APG across both leagues.
Avtodor Saratov (Russia - VTB League, 2019-2021): Maintained strong numbers with 14.4 PPG, 5.9 APG in 2019-20 (leading VTB in free throw percentage at 95%), and 11.2 PPG, 3.6 APG in 2020-21.
Igokea (Bosnia - ABA League & BCL, 2021-22): 10.2 PPG, 5.6 APG in ABA; 12.7 PPG, 6.8 APG in BCL.
Fenerbahce Beko (Turkey - BSL & EuroLeague, 2021-22): Won the Turkish championship. Played in 4 BSL games (11.0 PPG, 4.0 APG) and 4 EuroLeague games (0.8 PPG, 1.5 APG).
Darussafaka (Turkey - BSL & BCL, 2022-23): 11.9 PPG, 3.8 APG in BSL; 10.9 PPG, 4.5 APG in BCL. Recorded a career-best 7 three-pointers in a BSL game.
Recent Seasons (2023-2025):
MoraBanc Andorra (Spain - ACB, 2023-24): 9.0 PPG, 2.7 APG.
Aliaga Petkim Spor (Turkey - BSL, 2023-24): 11.3 PPG, 3.5 APG.
Buyukcekmece (Turkey - BSL, 2024-25)
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