Noah Starkey Bio
Noah Starkey is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. Standing 6 ft 11 in tall, the center is recognized for his shot-blocking ability and rebounding, attributes that defined his play in college and continue to anchor his professional role. After beginning his career overseas in Portugal, Montenegro, and Germany, Starkey returned to North America and found a long-term home with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he was part of the team’s 2024 NBA G League championship run.
Born in Everett, Washington, Starkey developed into a high-level post prospect in Hutchinson, Kansas, before starring at Southern Nazarene University. He has since built a résumé that spans multiple leagues and countries, establishing himself as a reliable rim protector and rebounder at every stop.
Early Life and Background
Noah Starkey was born on February 19, 1997, in Everett, Washington. He grew up in a family that supported his athletic development, with his parents David Starkey and Karla Starkey encouraging his early interest in basketball. Starkey later moved to Kansas, where he attended Central Christian School in Hutchinson and became a dominant force in the post.
During his senior season at Central Christian, Starkey averaged 19 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game. His play earned him All-State honors and the Most Outstanding Player award at the state tournament, signaling that he was ready for the next level. These numbers also drew attention from college programs looking for a true center with shot-blocking instincts.
Off the court, Starkey came from a household with two brothers, a setting that helped shape his competitive drive. He later chose Southern Nazarene University, where he would spend the next four years refining his game and building a defensive résumé that would eventually catch the eye of professional scouts.
Path to Professional Basketball
Starkey enrolled at Southern Nazarene University, where he played for the Crimson Storm from 2015 to 2019. He quickly developed into one of the top defensive players in the Great American Conference, using his size and timing to protect the rim at a high level. By the end of his college career, he had set the Southern Nazarene all-time blocks record with 187 total rejections, while also ranking second in GAC history in the same category.
His junior and senior seasons brought major individual recognition. Starkey was named GAC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, earned Second-team All-GAC honors in 2018, and was selected to the First-team All-GAC in 2019. He averaged 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks across his college career, while also setting a single-season school record with 64 blocks in one year.
Despite these accomplishments, Starkey went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. Rather than wait for a late opportunity, he chose to begin his professional career overseas, a decision that would give him valuable experience in multiple competitive leagues before his eventual return to North America.
Noah Starkey Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Starkey signed his first professional contract on July 24, 2019, joining FC Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol in Portugal. In his lone season with the Portuguese club, he appeared in eight games and averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds, gaining his first taste of consistent professional minutes at a high level.
On February 12, 2021, Starkey moved to the Montenegrin League, signing with Lovćen 1947, where he produced 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds across eight games. Later that year, he joined the Kirchheim Knights of the German ProA, where he played 29 games during the 2021–2022 season, averaging 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks. These three overseas stops allowed him to adapt his game to different styles of play.
NBA G League Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On October 22, 2022, Starkey was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA G League draft by the Oklahoma City Blue. After a brief initial stint and a quick release, he was claimed by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on December 10, 2022, beginning a stretch of roster moves that would keep him on his toes. He split the 2022–2023 season between the Blue and the Mad Ants, re-signing with each club multiple times.
The turning point of his career came in the 2023–2024 season, when he re-joined the Oklahoma City Blue on November 4, 2023, and remained with the team for the rest of the year. His interior defense, rebounding, and veteran presence helped Oklahoma City capture the 2024 NBA G League championship, a milestone that validated his journey through the professional ranks.
Oklahoma City Blue Era (2024–Present)
Following the championship run, Starkey signed with the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League on July 2, 2024, briefly extending his résumé into another country. The move allowed him to compete for a title north of the border during the summer before returning to the Blue.
On October 25, 2024, Starkey rejoined the Oklahoma City Blue, where he has continued to serve as a steady frontcourt contributor. His combination of size, defensive timing, and experience has made him a valued piece of the team’s rotation, and his championship experience provides a foundation for the group’s culture.
Driving Style and Strengths
Starkey’s game is built around his length, positioning, and timing as a rim protector. Listed at 6 ft 11 in and 250 lb, he uses his frame to control the paint, contest shots at the rim, and secure rebounds on both ends of the floor. He is also a reliable finisher around the basket, allowing his teams to feed him in the post for high-percentage scoring opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Starkey’s most significant career milestone is the 2024 NBA G League championship with the Oklahoma City Blue, a title that followed years of roster movement between Oklahoma City and Fort Wayne. He also holds the Southern Nazarene all-time blocks record with 187 career rejections, a mark that places him second in Great American Conference history.
Noah Starkey Career Wins
Across his professional career, Noah Starkey has accumulated team success at multiple levels. His primary championship came in 2024 with the Oklahoma City Blue, while his time in Portugal, Montenegro, and Germany produced consistent production rather than titles. The 2024 championship remains the cornerstone of his professional résumé and the clearest sign of his value to a winning roster.
NBA G League Highlights
Starkey’s most memorable NBA G League moment came during the 2023–2024 season, when he helped the Oklahoma City Blue win the league championship. After being waived and re-signed multiple times earlier in his G League career, he earned a longer stay with the Blue and played a meaningful role in their title run. The experience turned a previously uncertain stretch into one of the defining chapters of his career.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his G League breakthrough, Starkey posted double-digit scoring averages with both FC Porto and Lovćen 1947, while also producing consistent rebounding numbers with the Kirchheim Knights. His performances overseas helped him develop the consistency and toughness required to compete in the NBA G League, where he eventually broke through with a championship.
Noah Starkey Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Noah Starkey is the son of David Starkey and Karla Starkey. He grew up alongside two brothers in a supportive household that encouraged his athletic development. The family later relocated to Hutchinson, Kansas, where Starkey attended Central Christian School and began building the basketball foundation that would carry him to the professional level.
Personal Life
Off the court, Starkey majored in business pre-law during his time at Southern Nazarene University, reflecting an interest in life after basketball. He has kept his personal life largely private, focusing public attention on his career and his work with the Oklahoma City Blue.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Noah Starkey is firmly established within the Oklahoma City Blue rotation following the team’s 2024 NBA G League title. His return to the Blue on October 25, 2024, gave him a full offseason to prepare, and he is expected to continue serving as a frontcourt anchor and veteran presence in the locker room.
Starkey’s role with the Blue centers on rim protection, rebounding, and post scoring, all areas in which he has produced consistently throughout his career. With a championship already on his résumé, the 2025 season offers him the opportunity to help defend that title while also continuing to develop his game and contribute to the team’s playoff push.
Looking ahead, Starkey’s experience across the NBA G League, the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and multiple European competitions gives him a well-rounded perspective that benefits his teammates. If he stays healthy and maintains his role, the 2025 season could further cement his reputation as one of the more reliable centers in the league.