New Portland State Basketball Coach Jase Coburn has completed his roster for the 2021-22 season with addition of Mikal Starks to the program. Starks has signed an aid agreement after transferring from the University of Georgia.

A six-foot point guard originally from Miami, Starks has played three years of collegiate basketball. He will have junior eligibility as he takes advantage of the NCAA's waiver for the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It was very important that we build a team," said Coburn. "When you turn the tape on with Mikal, you notice a lot of the characteristics I am looking for from our student-athletes. Having the right chemistry and mentality is very important to me. We know exactly what Mikal brings to the table and what we are expecting from him."

Starks is a pass-first point guard and strong defender who played in 18 games for the Bulldogs this past season. The prior two years he competed at Eastern Florida competing in 47 games with 26 starts. Starks averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per game during his time at Eastern Florida. As a sophomore he averaged 5.2 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per game. Starks helped the Titans to a 22-11 rebounds and 9-3 mark in Mid-Florida Conference play. He was ranked as the number nine junior college recruit by 247Sports.com after the season.

Starks is the seventh signee by Coburn this off-season. All seven are transfers. The Vikings return eight players from 2020-21, three of whom are starters.  

PORTLAND STATE GRANT-IN-AID SIGNEE (July 13, 2021)

Mikal Starks, G, 6-0, 185, JR, TR, Miami, FL (Palmetto HS/Eastern Florida/Georgia)

PREVIOUS PORTLAND STATE GRANT-IN-AID SIGNEES

Hayden Curtiss, F/C, 6-9, 210, FR, TR, North Bend, WA (Mount Si HS/Portland) - June 15
Michael Carter III, G, 6-5, 175, JR, TR, Seattle, WA (O'Dea HS/Washington/Long Beach State) - May 19
Damion Squire, G, 6-0, 185, JR, TR, Montreal, Quebec (Wasatch Academy/UC Davis) – April 22
Ezekiel Alley, G, 6-0, 170, SR, TR, Tucson, AZ (Damien HS/Fullerton College/Northwest Nazarene) – April 23
James Jean-Marie, F, 6-8, 230, SR, TR, Montreal, Quebec (Athlos Academy (TX)/San Diego/Hawai'i) – April 24
Marlon Ruffin, G/F, 6-5, 195, JR, TR, Madison, WI (Sun Prairie HS/Highland CC/Omaha) - May 18