Looking for camps your kids can get involved in this summer? Sign them up for the Stark’s Skill Academy hosted by Jonathan Stark, a former Munford High standout basketball player who also played collegiately and professionally.
Stark graduated from Munford in 2013 and was a basketball standout during his time there, leading the Cougars to a district title his senior year. He played at Brighton High before transferring to Munford.
He took his talents to Tulane University before transferring to Murray State University because he felt it was a better place to continue his career.
“I think it was a better situation for me to transfer to Murray,” Stark said, “more of a basketball community so it was the best choice for me.”
After his college career, he connected with the Minnesota Timberwolves by playing summer league for them, which resulted in an offer to play for their G-League team.
Unfortunately, things went sideways when he tore his ACL and had to sit out to recover, but after being out for a year he signed a contract to play overseas.
Stark decided to start up a basketball camp because he wanted to give back to his community by teaching kids the game of basketball.
“Munford is a very small town, it doesn’t get talked about a lot and I want to be able to impact and let kids know that they can do it, no matter what kind of situation you’re in,” Stark said. “No matter where you come from, how small the town is, you can do it if you just work hard.”
The camp will feature some pretty serious star power, including Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year who was a teammate of Morant’s at Murray State. Cameron Reynolds (Houston Rockets), Shaq Buchanan (Memphis Hustle) and others are also scheduled to appear.
Dates for Stark’s Skill Academy are June 9-12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and anybody age six and up can register. It will be held at Munford High and Munford Elementary and lunch will be provided.
Registration is available at TeamStark.org.
