Max Starks - Early Years

Early Years

Starks was born in Orlando, Florida. He attended Orlando Christian School for sixth to eighth graders, where he played basketball and volleyball for the OCS Knights. As an eighth grader he wore size 15 shoes—when he had a difficult time finding shoes that fit he borrowed shoes from NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, who played at the time for the Orlando Magic For high school, Starks attended Lake Highland Preparatory School, a private prep school in Orlando, where he is the only high school football player in the history of the Highlanders to become a pro athlete. He was one of the state's top offensive linemen in 1999, and was named to Super Prep's, National Bluechips and Prep Star's high school All-America teams, and a USA Today honorable mention All-American. He was a two-time all-conference selection in basketball.