There’s been many Streetball legends that have graced the court, but there’s only one that stuck fear in NBA players. Troy Jackson or “Escalade” was a mountain of a man that had NBA players scared.
This video is about how Escalade became one of the most respected Streetball hoopers in his era and why his game will live on forever …
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This video is about how Escalade became one of the most respected Streetball hoopers in his era and why his game will live on forever …
Make sure to subscribe and follow HoopDiamonds everywhere so you don't miss out on any of the action!
IG: http://www.instagram.com/hoopdiamonds
Playmaker Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@playmakr
HoopDiamonds is a grassroots & high school basketball content creation platform based out of South Florida, dedicated to bringing you the best and highest quality basketball video content on the internet. Powered by @Playmaker.
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Have you ever seen a basketball player with a colossal figure standing at 6 feet 10 inches
00:05 tall and weighing a total of 500 pounds?
00:08 A man that would overpower LeBron James in his prime, dunk on Shaquille O'Neal, and
00:13 had handles like Allen Iverson.
00:15 It's almost as if the laws of physics had to reconsider themselves to accommodate his
00:20 size.
00:21 Who is this basketball titan?
00:23 Who was his older brother that was drafted in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft and
00:29 won Rookie of the Year?
00:30 Who is the man that everyone would have felt a sense of fearfulness if he stepped on an
00:35 NBA court?
00:36 But wait, he did play professionally, didn't he?
00:39 Can you guess who that might be?
00:40 Let's find out.
00:47 Meet Troy Escalade Jackson, a man whose presence on the basketball court was unmatched by anyone
00:53 else in the world, quite literally speaking.
00:56 Born and raised in Queens, New York, all Troy knew was basketball and took his talents to
01:00 the ballparks of Queens, playing in streetball games and making a name for himself around
01:06 the neighborhood.
01:07 The thing was, he was more than just a player.
01:09 He was a basketball phenomenon, defying expectation and pushing the boundaries of what a basketball
01:15 player could be or even look like.
01:17 If he could play the way he did, then anybody could.
01:20 When Troy ran across the court, he moved with the finesse of Stephen Curry and duplicated
01:25 his ball handling skills after Allen Iverson.
01:28 It was honestly impressive and an extraordinary sight to see if you saw him play in person.
01:34 This dude was a spectacle that left people in shock left and right.
01:38 They couldn't believe what they were seeing right in front of their eyes.
01:41 How could someone of that stature stay not only mobile, but also incredibly athletic
01:46 against opponents?
01:48 The burning question is, what made him want to play basketball in the first place and
01:53 not just sit on the couch eating Cheetos all day?
01:57 Not that I don't got anything wrong with Cheetos, let's just make that clear my guy.
02:01 Who was his inspiration for the game?
02:04 Well, his older brother goes by the name of Mark Jackson, a former NBA star turned commentator
02:10 who was very close with his brother Troy and also played at the parks in Queens growing
02:15 up.
02:16 Mark was just as much of a streetballer as anyone else who stepped on the court, if not
02:20 better.
02:21 While Troy's name might not be as familiar as his older brother's, Mark Jackson, his
02:26 impact was no less significant.
02:29 It's almost shocking as to why someone as massive and talented as Troy didn't follow
02:33 the same path to the NBA as his brother Mark did.
02:37 This was just one of the many questions that surrounded Troy's unique journey.
02:41 Troy's expansion, no pun intended, into becoming the biggest player basketball had ever seen
02:46 was an interesting story nonetheless.
02:49 His journey began with a childhood passion for basketball, starting at the age of 10
02:54 years old when he first discovered his excitement for the game at Harlem's Rucker Park, an
02:59 absolute staple.
03:01 Back then, he was just a stocky kid having fun on the court, while his older brother
03:05 Mark was already on his way to becoming an NBA sensation as Mark was regarded as one
03:11 of the nation's elite point guards while attending Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School
03:16 in Brooklyn under coach Patrick Quigley, who then went on to becoming a college hoop star
03:21 at St. John's University.
03:24 At the age of 14, Troy's life took an unexpected turn when Mark was drafted into the NBA, which
03:30 altered the course of their family's destiny.
03:33 With newfound financial security, Troy's motivation to pursue a career in the NBA immediately
03:39 diminished.
03:40 Instead of focusing on honing his skills and preparing for the league, he chose to embrace
03:45 the spotlight and dazzle the crowds at Rucker Park.
03:48 He chose the streetball lifestyle, but not so fast.
03:51 Sure, his impressive displays at Rucker Park didn't go unnoticed, attracting the attention
03:57 of scouts who recognized the potential of his colossal size on the basketball court.
04:02 Playing college basketball was still not out of the picture.
04:05 A scholarship to Wallace Community College in Alabama was offered to him, providing a
04:10 chance for Troy to prove that there was room for a 500-pound player in the college basketball
04:16 landscape.
04:17 Imagine that!
04:18 If you're enjoying this video, please hit that subscribe button to help continue to
04:22 support us.
04:23 And if you follow us and aren't already subscribed, what are you doing, my guy?
04:28 Tap that notification bell to be the first to catch our content.
04:31 And make sure to like, comment, and share these videos with your friends.
04:35 Now let's get back to it.
04:36 So what did he do?
04:37 He took the scholarship, and surprisingly enough, Troy exceeded expectations at Wallace
04:42 Community College, showcasing his skills and tenacity on the basketball court.
04:47 And get this, it gets even better.
04:50 His performance earned him a scholarship to the University of Louisville under the well-respected
04:55 and renowned coach, Denny Crum.
04:57 However, with anything good in life comes with responsibility, and in this case, it
05:02 came with a lot of it.
05:03 The scholarship came with one condition.
05:06 Troy needed to shed pounds and get in shape.
05:08 Struggling with this transformation, his performance suffered, and his trajectory in college basketball
05:13 took a hit.
05:14 He was eventually cut from the team and didn't see a college basketball court again.
05:20 Despite the setbacks, Troy's journey was far from over.
05:23 He found a spot with the Harlem Globetrotters, briefly playing alongside them and capturing
05:28 the attention of the legendary streetball brand, AND1.
05:32 AND1 recognized the potential in Troy's combination of size and skill, and capitalized
05:38 on his popularity, expanding their reach and success across the nation.
05:42 Troy's larger-than-life presence along with his basketball skills became identical with
05:47 AND1, elevating him to celebrity status in the world of streetball.
05:52 His popularity skyrocketed, leading to a monumental moment when he and fellow streetball legend,
05:58 The Professor, were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
06:02 And if you know anything about being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, you know
06:06 that that was an accolade usually reserved for the most legendary athletes.
06:11 However, his success came at a price.
06:14 Troy's weight-related health issues started to take their toll, affecting his performance
06:19 and mobility on the court.
06:21 Despite well-meaning attempts by friends and families to encourage a healthier lifestyle,
06:26 Troy's attachment to his identity as the lovable giant made change difficult in his
06:31 everyday life.
06:33 Tragedy struck in 2011 when Troy passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at the age of 38.
06:39 His health underlined the challenges of embracing an image that came with both fame and physical
06:45 limitations.
06:46 He was diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease, and his inability to manage his weight ultimately
06:52 led to a premature end to his larger-than-life journey.
06:55 Nonetheless, Troy "Escalade" Jackson left an indelible mark on the world of basketball.
07:01 He defied conventions, shattered expectations, and redefined the notion of a sports entertainer.
07:07 His journey was a testament to the intersection of talent, drive, and individuality.
07:13 And while he may not have pursued a traditional path to the NBA, his impact on the sport will
07:18 forever be etched in history as a tribute to the lovable giant who simply wanted to
07:23 entertain.
07:24 We will always remember the legendary Troy "Escalade" Jackson.
07:28 Subscribe for more.
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