University of Georgia Athletics

Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) during Georgia’s game against Missouri on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA

Starks Named Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Finalist

February 20, 2025 | Football

ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia All-American safety Malaki Starks has been named one of six finalists for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, according to an announcement from Athletes For A Better World.
 
Starks, a native of Jefferson, Ga., who was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, joins Oklahoma football player Ethan Downs, Wayne State basketball player Shea Tripp, University of Minnesota Duluth hockey player Clara Van Wieren and Georgia Tech track and field members Isabella Turner and John Watkins as finalists.
 
The six finalists will be invited to attend this year's Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Awards in Atlanta at the College Football Hall of Fame on April 25.
 
Finalists demonstrated outstanding qualities and potential to impact sports and society positively.  Starks and the other five finalists embodied the leadership, service and excellence values that John Wooden championed throughout his legendary coaching career.
 
Starks is now training for the NFL Scouting Combine, which runs in Indianapolis from Feb. 27 – March 2.  This year's NFL Draft will be on April 24-26.
 
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