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Former Oregon State Guard Ahmad Starks Transfers to Illinois

By Joshua Santos

Dec 12, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ahmad Starks (3) dribbles the ball past Portland State Vikings guard Dre Winston Jr. (3) during the first half of the game at the Peter W. Stott Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ahmad Starks (3) dribbles the ball past Portland State Vikings guard Dre Winston Jr. (3) during the first half of the game at the Peter W. Stott Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ahmad Starks (3) dribbles the ball past Portland State Vikings guard Dre Winston Jr. (3) during the first half of the game at the Peter W. Stott Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ahmad Starks (3) dribbles the ball past Portland State Vikings guard Dre Winston Jr. (3) during the first half of the game at the Peter W. Stott Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Formally attending Orgeon State, Ahmed Starks announced his decision to transfer and commit to Illinois on Tuesday.

The Chicago born native, who attended Whitney Young High School in the city left OSU to be closer to his grandmother in Chicago.

Per ESPN.Com

"“It’s the state school,” Starks said of Illinois. “It’s always been big for me. I always liked watching it growing up, watching Dee Brown and those guys. I took a visit when Bruce Weber was the coach. I liked the situation there, and it didn’t work out. Being close to home, the alumni situation, all of it is huge. They have a great fan base. “I’m like a lot of players that plan to be a professional basketball player of some sort when I’m done with college. It’s definitely a good opportunity to play for a team that I can help out and be close to my grandmother. My parents can hopefully bring her down often, every home game and much as possible. It’s a great opportunity to play for coach [John] Groce and his staff and the players there.”"

During his run with the Beavers, Starks averaged 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior this past season. He also shot 39 percent from three-point range.

What downside about Starks is that he dominates the ball but doesn’t exactly have the greatest shot selection. However he is definitely talented. He can shoot and score in traffic and may be a useful piece on the court if utilized correctly. Nevertheless the fighting Illini would need more prospects coming in as they lose Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson.

The backcourt of the team however can prove to be vital as they now have Starks, Tracy Abrams, Joseph Bertard, RayVonte Rice, Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate to provide that extra support from the perimeter.