The legend of the 6'10'', 385-pound point guard
Troy Jackson "Escalade" is the younger brother of former NBA player and ESPN commentator Mark Jackson.
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During the 2000s', streetball was in its peak years, with the AND1 tour emerging and becoming more popular than ever. The roster featured some unique and amazing players, but no one stood out more than Troy Jackson, better known as "Escalade."
A point guard in a big man's body
Although Escalade was known as one of the biggest basketball players ever seen during his AND1 days, little is it known that Troy was even heavier in his high school days, playing at around 500 lbs. But that didn't stop him from dominating the courts in Long Island, catching the eye of Bill Hughley, the coach at Wallace Community College.
Despite being so heavy, Jackson would dominate and even earn All-Region honors in his second year. For him playing at 500 lbs just felt natural. His great play would get him a scholarship offer from the University of Louisville. But as this was a major step up in Jackson's basketball career, the school demanded Escalade shreds some weight.
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With a strict diet and regime, Jackson would slim down all the way to about 363 pounds, being in the best shape of his life. But despite all that, Jackson wouldn't get too much playing time, serving as a backup big, appearing in only 20 games and averaging 3.0 ppg and 1.6 RPG.
Although his basketball path wouldn't lead him to the NBA, Jackson would find his silver lining in a completely different way, joining the AND1 Mixtape Tour in 2002. There Troy Jackson became the iconic "Escalade" and a true fan favorite with his mix of size and flashiness.
The charisma and joyfulness with which Jackson played were contagious, displaying a one-of-a-kind point guard in a 6'10'', 385-pound body. He knew how to put on a show and entertain, which was perfect for the AND1 Tour.
Unfortunately, Troy Jackson would pass away in his sleep back in February of 2011 due to hypertensive heart disease, at only 38 years old. Although he was fun to watch because of his size and skill, everybody knew this guy could play for serious, and that is why he became engraved as a true icon and legend of the streetball game.
