The jersey that is identified as #11 in sports comes with huge expectations. It publicizes a person’s athletic prowess, and attracts attention that leaders such as quarterbacks or point guards receives in most sports.

“Double Aces,” is what #11 represents and the talented SQ Warrior Navion “Smoove” Starks has carried the weight of that recognition since he put on aces for the SQ Warriors four years ago.

Starks immediately became a leader in the sports world at SQRC and believes his position is to give back to the younger generation.

“I lead by example to show that there is a better way than the negative way, which for most has been the norm for the most part of our younger men’s lives,” said Starks.

Starks wears aces with the pride of a champion as he moves basketball fans that pour into the gym to watch the SQ Warriors play. Ironically, his dogged determination on the court hides his humble compassionate demeanor that residents see as he helps youngsters get back on course. 

Starks, now 39 years old, has an athletic background that made him one of the most highly recruited high school football players in the state before showing talent as a chef. 

Starks said he strives to make living amends to his victim as he makes sports part of his rehabilitation as he stars for the SQ Warriors.

Starks has participated in prison sports since 2007 and believes there are no other prison sports programs like SQRC in the nation. “ I wanted to participate in SQ Basketball because the program represents and stands for family, knowing one’s self, and building better men,” said Starks.

Starks bought into the California Model by seeing added value that insures all residents are prepared once they leave the walls of CDCR. “All of California needs to buy-in more to the redemptive qualities of rehabilitation.”

“I believe that if everyone implements the program heart and soul, then it would make a lot of staff and administration upset, because crime would decrease on the streets and eventually the prison population would go down and stay down,” said Starks. 

Starks noted the basketball program’s 94 Feet program as a concept that is being developed to take to the streets to help the juveniles before they commit crime.

Teammates and fans describe Starks as a humble leader who takes a back seat while never seeking the limelight. He is known to have developed a great sense of humor as he healed from his own struggles, acquiring insight that enables him to realize the importance of being a leader on the most recognized prison sports reform team in the nation.    “I’m like the silent partner in a company, who loves to see others shine. My struggles continue to teach me things like using conscious thinking and positive self-talk as coping skills. No matter what people do to me and what happens to me, I still lead by example,” said Starks.

“[Competition] feels good, only when there is a difference made in someone’s life; that’s when it feels great and that’s why I’m careful with practical jokes performed on resident teammates because they can go bad quickly,” said Starks.

Although his humble and compassionate demeanor may seem sullen at times, he does relish the funny memories from SQ sports that will last a lifetime. 

“ I’d have to say the animation of one referee who performs this little jump dance whenever he makes a call on the court makes me laugh every time,” said the glowing Starks. “Referee Ismail “Ish” Freelon; No matter how wrong the call is, no matter how much he gets crazy with a player or coach, his passion still brings a laughing spirit to the game; he’s like a mascot.”

As a now amateur chef who loves to bake, Starks hopes to put the heat on CDCR and the Board of Parole Hearings to acknowledge sports, for the redemptive qualities that competition instills in all who participates. “ In some people’s lives, sports plays a major role in healing and it works to the point of success,” said Starks.

As for the antagonists who look at sports as non-contributive to rehabilitation Starks challenges them to come discover what prison sports is all about. “I only have one thing to say; don’t knock it until you try it. Come and be hands on and really see what the program is really about; don’t just criticize from the outside looking in.”