Business

Knick’s new kicks

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Former New York Knicks standout John Starks is still looking to score — 11 years after retiring.

The 47-year-old former guard has invested in a startup basketball-shoe maker, called Ektio, whose designs are aimed at preventing ankle injuries to players.

“I’ve had a few ankle injuries myself in my career and it’s the worst thing that can happen to a player because of the time it takes to rehab,” Starks told The Post.

Starks and NBA legend Rick Barry, who also owns a piece of the company, will serve as spokesmen for the brand.

Starks sees a promising future in marketing the athletic shoes — Ektio is Greek for “protect and defend” — to high-school kids as well as recreational players.

The shoes today are only available online and cost $130.

The brand was invented by Dr. Barry Katz, an orthopedic and neuroradiology specialist who recruited the former hoop stars.

“Ankle sprains are the most common injury in basketball, representing 42 percent of all injuries,” Katz told The Post.

Bad ankle sprains can lead to other injuries, Katz noted.

Starks has his work cut out for him as most players — from NBA stars to schoolyard standouts — buy shoes based on style over substance.

“It’s hard to show guys that this shoe may be what you need to extend your career,” Starks admits.

The Ektio shoe, dubbed the Breakaway, is designed with an integrated ankle and so-called side bumpers, preventing the ankle from rolling.

Dr. Katz, 53, said wearing an ankle brace with a separate shoe doesn’t sufficiently protect from the shoe rolling.

Long-term, Katz is hoping to eventually sell his shoe company, which aims to break into other sports like soccer and volleyball, to a bigger company or take it public.