Myia Starks never rode the bench until she got to Northern Illinois last year.
The former Neuqua Valley basketball star averaged just 4.1 minutes of playing time in 20 appearances as a Huskies’ freshman.
It didn’t sit well.
“I didn’t see the court much last year,” Starks said. “Sitting out … was really hard.
“I just used the experience to work hard in the summer to get better. I knew it was going to pay off eventually.”
That it has.
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The Huskies’ point guard, Ally Lehman, graduated and her replacement, sophomore Janae Poisson, tore an ACL, opening the door for Starks. The Oswego resident has taken full advantage, averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds to go with a team-leading 60 assists for the Huskies (8-4).
“It feels good playing the game I love,” Starks said. “Being on the court a lot has given me my confidence back. I’m starting to have fun and you can see it in my play on the court.”
Never was that more evident than in NIU’s 86-75 road victory over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Dec. 17.
Starks, a 5-foot-4 sophomore guard, sank 7 of 11 shots in scoring a career-high 25 points. She made 11 free throws and had six steals, also career bests, and was named Mid-American Conference West Player of the Week.
“I was just feeling it,” Starks said. “One thing I can do is shoot a pull-up (jumper). That game it was open, so I took it.”
Northern Illinois coach Lisa Carlsen was pleased to see it.
“Every minute that Myia plays, you just really see her evolve as a dynamic point guard,” Carlsen said after the Edwardville game. “We’ve said all year that she is a pass-first guard, but you saw tonight she is very capable, especially if someone is going to let her shoot her pull-up.
“That is her bread-and-butter shot, so I think she did a great job. She obviously did a great job of handling the basketball and knocking down free throws as well.”
Starks was part of a star-studded ensemble cast at Neuqua Valley which included fellow Division I players Kai Moon, Najee Smith and Bryce Menendez. She helped the Wildcats win three regional titles and one sectional championship and was IBCA special mention all-state in 2014-15.
But her modest height led some to question if she could be effective at the Division I level. Starks never doubted herself.
“Some people forget I’m small,” Starks said. “I know my senior year of high school some people would say, ‘Myia, you’re listed at 5-5 but you play big.’
“I can jump pretty high and I’m quick, so it doesn’t bother me.”
Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams always knew Starks could succeed at the next level.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Williams said. “Myia is a determined individual who always strives to excel and has a knack for making plays, coupled with a knack for making everyone around her better.”
Starks credited her Neuqua teammates for making her better and while her days of riding the pines appear to be history, she won’t soon forget them.
“It just so happened at Neuqua I was surrounded by some very talented players and I wanted to be better or as good as them,” Starks said. “I’ve always been able to play.
“I can’t take the game for granted now I know how it feels (to be) watching.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.