Aerial Starks Signs with UMASS

Aerial Starks signed a letter of intent to play college basketball for the University of Massachusetts. Aerial is a 5’10” guard that plays for A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, Texas. She is ranked 29th in the State of Texas with Premier Basketball National and Global Scouting Service. Aerial played for AD Elite Select Basketball during the summer.
 
I first met Aerial when she played for me on my 7th grade Texas Elite team in College Station. Aerial is one of those players that you love to coach. She is a hard worker and fierce competitor on the court. She always gave me 100% no matter if it was in practice or a game. Aarial has a true love for the game of basketball.
 
I never saw Aerial at a practice or a game without her biggest fan—her dad, Ernest Starks. Everyone in the basketball world knew him as just “Starks”.  Starks would encourage Aerial and push her everyday to be the best that she could be both on the court and in life. Starks was tough on Aerial, but it was a tough that she understood, because she was tough in her own way. Starks use to call me quite often just to talk about Aarial. He was always interested in what he could do to help her get better. I never will forget the day that he called me and told me that she had committed to UMASS. He was so excited and so very proud of his little girl. The first thing he said when he called was, “Coach, all of the hard work paid off.” I have no doubt in my mind that he worshipped his little girl and that she was his whole life.
 
Starks passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2017 from a heart attack, just five days before Aarial was to sign her letter of intent.  I got the call on Saturday morning while I was doing a camp in Wisconsin; I was devastated. All day my heart ached from the pain that I was feeling for Aarial, knowing how much she must be hurting. Starks called me on Thursday, just a few days before he passed, to invite me to Ariel’s signing. I said I would be there because I would do anything for both Starks and Aerial.
 
A lot of family and friends attended Aerial’s signing. One of Starks’ other friends talked about how he would always sit on the very top row, in the corner, at Aerial’s games; you always knew where to find him. Starks may not be there in body, but he will always be in his same spot, watching his special girl play. Rest in peace Starks, I know I will miss you very much.