And what a path the late Escalade made, paving his own way as demonstratively as he drove the lane, overcoming obstacles at first with his mammoth size and then with his even greater kindness. Player movement was noticeably exaggerated compared to other games including arcade titles such as NBA Street, which could lead to out-of-control moments and overpowered combinations. At 59 with pogo stick legs, Hook Mitchell ran the bay area for well over a decade. Every game of the Mixtape Tour that year was played in NBA arenas, capping off AND1s true capture of the basketball world. He was so much younger than us. Many people swear he could take the ball the length of the court in only three dribbles. Where Mark considered the game his calling since he was a young boy, Troy took a little longer to take it seriously, perhaps distracted by the relatively lavish lifestyle Mark had shared with him. Dean Menninger? Jerry Dupree, Sad news.. RIP Streetball Legend Alimoe aka Black Widow The reason streetballers dont make ot to the NBA is because their skills are tailored for 1v1 and iso plays. He had a great high school career. Critics would complain that AND1s style of play was tainting the purity of the game, as streetballers would put on shows of extraordinary moves that didnt always comply with the conventional rules of basketball. On Jan. 1, a week after the rumors of his death surfaced, Mitchell appeared in a video posted on his Facebook page. He had been in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend. R.I.P to a good friend of mines Alimoe Evans aka The Black Widow. They jumped over 15 people in a game of 21 or made 15 threes in a row from halfcourt. Known for his insane speed and jumping ability, he had an all around game that included deep range on his shot. Troy was much younger, but I always tell peoplesame parents! Game description: And 1 Streetball brings the flashy street-basketball style from the And 1 Mixtape tour to your home video game consoles. On the streetball level, people loved him because of the way he could pass and handle for a big guy. After the scrimmage Lewis demanded a bigger contract to which the Sixers replied he needed to mature for another year. They didn't have the same fortune (or brains in some cases), as guys likeJulius "Dr. J" Erving, Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, and Kareem "The Big Fella" Abdul-Jabbar. In the words of Ryan Drew, former VP of footwear at AND1: Not only was that maybe the best series of dunks I have ever seen, because it was just dunks that youd never even seen before, but it was almost like the dunks that he had done were tailor made for the color-blocking of the shoe. More on that in a minute. Required fields are marked *. Sometimes we think about that and cry. With the summer in full swing, we take a look at the 25 Greatest Streetball Players of All Time. Billy was drafted and cut by the Chicago Bulls. Not that Troy did too badly for himself. The Destroyer set a variety of Rucker scoring records including single game record 82 points in a game. 5FT 10,185 POUNDS!! The game featured a story mode mirroring AND1s "Streetball" series on ESPN, where players were able to create their own basketball player and enter him in the AND1 Mix Tape Tour in order to get a contract with the AND1 team. Mark was in there in a fetal position. People would be like, Of course Im a fan of yours, but I didnt know youd be so nice in person. Hed talk peoples heads off about where they went to school, what they were intomuch friendlier than people would expect. Another talented baller left us. That was always really impressive, especially at 6'9", 400 pounds., The And1 Tour started to peter out not long after the 2005. cover, as the brand was sold and fans lost interestat least at the scale that was packing gyms and parks in the early 2000s. December 21, 2018. His reputation was so great, the Lakers team traveled to Harlem to watch him play in the summer. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Chris Tucker was there and Im talking to him. In his 14 years of NBA experience, VC averaged 20.8 points per game and is currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks (his fifth team). [5] Supporters of the tour have responded by backing up AND1's credibility and the players' legitimate skill. AND1 NBA - : , , -, , , , . Not that Es ever made a habit of telling folks that. AND 1 is not entirely unlike . He was one of the original AND1 Streetball players that helped the now nationwide tour catch fire around the basketball world. [1], Troy Jackson weighed close to 500 pounds (227kg) as a senior at Hills East High School in Long Island, New York, but his performances at Rucker Park caught the attention of Bill Hughley, coach of Wallace Community College in Selma, Alabama. Shaquille ONeal is considered the modern physical giant of basketball, and he rarely played at more than 325 pounds. The streetballers who prevailed through the very end of the summer tours would receive endorsement deals from AND1. That love made Escalade a sought-after player for any company in the streetball space, and at the time of his passing, he was in Los Angeles with the crew from the Ball Up tour, which had Professor on board as well. Es was a leader and he always looked out for me., Says Murphy: He and Professor were so memorable. Billupshad played a big part in the Pistons knocking off the New Jersey Nets in the Conference Finals, and then led them to the finish line with a 4-1 Finals Series victory against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. He inspired basketball folks around the world, and some of his moves can be seen in the NBA even today. He had handle, a post up game, multitude of 1-on-1 moves, pure jump shot and athleticism. Check his videos on youtube. I remember Mark and I talked about it one summer and we pretty much agreedEs is gonna be Es. One of the most prominent appearances of AND1s NBA endorsees was when Chauncey Billups took home the MVP honors during the 2004 NBA Finals, wearing the AND1 Rises. Alston, unlike most of his colleagues at AND1, actually made it to the NBA and changed the way the game is played today. But later, my brotherwho is a video editor, toowould make these Escalade mixes and they went crazy. AND1 partnered with FootAction in the summer of 99 to start distributing themixtape nationally, with FootAction offering a free Mixtape DVD with the purchase of any sneakers or apparel. This was basketball. Phillip Hot Sauce Champion, R.I.P. After another one of his high-scoring playoff games, Magic teammate Dwight Howard said this about Skip: He wasnt Rafer Alston [tonight], he was the playground legend Skip 2 My Lou.' His upbringing into the limelight was different from any other player who made the NBA. Your list does include Billy Harris! Although the AND1 brand was ultimately bought out in 2005 by American Sporting Goods, some of the players managed to utilize their skills to stay relevant even now. But he made himself always available to me. He attended Detroit Powerhouse Northwestern High School, where he led his team in points and assists his senior year. You can create a player from the ground up and take him through the trials of making the And 1 team. By Amber Crawford | Mar 1, 2023. Just talked to him b4 Allstar weekend #sad about this!! Wake up to the day's most important news. He wanted to make it on his own. The game features a variety of moves inspired by real streetball players and includes venues from around the . He gave something to this sports community and to the kids that he touched. Thanks for being you.. Fess was so shy at first, but Es really helped him so much. New product drops were also showcased during the event with proceeds from all sales benefiting Brooklyn-based community organizations. He became famous playing in the international traveling basketball competition AND1 Mixtape Tour. Edwards has strong feelings about where Escalade would fit in the basketball/media landscape of 2017. 1. There were conditions attached, however, as the team demanded Troy lose weight in order to keep his spot. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. That doesnt happen. The AND1 players maintain that they are serious basketball players who play against the seven best local players from each city. Nonetheless, he got a full ride to Georgetown, which he left after his sophomore season. But he was highly skilled and retained his spot for a long time. While the Pacers eventually lost the series in six, no one has forgotten the show Stephenson put on in the 2014 Playoffs, solidifying himself as a true AND1 streetballer. Lewis became a fixture in summer and street ball leagues across southern California. My son turned 38 in January and he was dead on Feb. 20. There is always the especially at, or even with or in spite of with Troy Jackson, and with good reason. Streetball legend Lonnie "Prime Objective" Harrell really felt good when Alimoe told him he liked his game. Phillip Champion was one of the star players from the AND1 Mixtape Tour and ESPN series, and he's still making people look silly with ridiculous crossovers at the age of 37. Hoop in Peace Black Widow. It was presented by B-Ball and Company and the basketball apparel manufacturer AND1. His struggle was the weight, really. NBA Hall-of-Famer George Gervin, said this of CJ in an interview: The best player Ive ever seen was Curtis Jones. Detroit natives Derrick Coleman, Jalen Rose and Dave Bing have all given tremendous praise to CJs game. Ballislife.com is your 1 stop shop for everything basketball! Troy "Escalade" Jackson, former Louisville basketball player and AND1 Streetball legend has passed away in Los Angeles. Speedy in juco. "I came up with that name because of his style," Shepard said. Says Don Adams, Taft High School coach. McGraw started and finished his playing career with the Greenock club, scoring more than 100 league goals in the 1960s and . This past Saturday, August 10, adidas hosted the Streetball Challenge a three-on-three basketball tournament at New York City's Brooklyn Bridge Park, pitting the most notable names in . In the years that followed, while the NBA would own the basketball season, AND1 dominated the summers. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "I apologize to everybody and I appreciate y'all's support," he said . Hed be a celebrity! Carter was an innovator of the air and is the inspiration for so many of todays best dunkers. Based on the ESPN series of the same name, players get to step in the shoes of top Streetball players or create their own baller as they try to earn a contract with AND 1 on the Mix Tape Tour. Your Score. Alston was literally a streetball player. BEGINNINGS. Ubisoft and And 1 bring you a street basketball game that features players from the And 1 mix tapes. And then he spent time at Louisville with some great coaches. Now, you may or may not have heard of Rafer Alston, so heres a quick background on him. Raymond Lewis - Jerry Tarkanian once remarked "Raymond Lewis was the greatest basketball player I ever saw. Some playground legends do graduate to the NBA. Fans lined up for games and the streetball players' popularity skyrocketed. The lounge featured an art installation curated by SLAM showcasing iconic basketball superstars and images of New York City streetballers. played in the NBA 14 years, dazzling crowds and going toe-to-toe with some of the greats, including Michael Jordan, who Iverson crossed up in his rookie season. He loved the name, the marketing, and he had a high level of self-esteem. It was new to people. He was just cool. Alston earned himself the . Jackson was featured on the And1 Mixtape tour in 2002, and went on the play for other streetball . The companys management signed contracts with each of the streetball players, but their value was based on their popularity. He played on year for San Diego of the ABA averaging 8 points per game. Virtually unguardable one-on-one, Hammond gave pros like Tiny Archibald, Julius Erving, Ron Boone a serious run for their money. In 2003 Steve Francis brought a team full of pros down to Goodman league to take on Curt Smiths team. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Troy Jackson was an American basketball player. Joe The Destroyer Hammond - Legend has it he scored 50 points in one half against Julius Erving at the Rucker. For those who don't know me, my name is Set Free. He was by far one of the best players in streetball history! But later, my brotherwho is a video editor, toowould make these Escalade mixes and they went crazy. Troy Jackson was an American basketball player. Keep reading to find out who made the cut as the best streetballers in the history of the NBA. He had no intention of losing weight. Streetball vs. the NBA. You'll also receive 15% off your first order. Hot Sauce. He showcased his leaping ability by pulling dollar bills off the top of the backboard to win bets around New York. Harris was a star on Chicagos playground typically holding court for an entire day. All Rights Reserved. Born Ready Stephenson fit the AND1 streetball personality perfectly, with his aggressive never-back-down attitude, and put on national display during the 2014 NBA Conference Finals. The Brooklyn native had unparalleled ball handling and passing ability. [4], AND1's calling card and large reason for success are the flashy moves that rely on a more lenient set of rules than in regulation basketball. 4.7. He grew up playing against top NBA point guards like Rod Strickland, Rafter Alston and Kenny Anderson. The tour came to fruition after a mixtape it released during the 1998-99 NBA lockout turned into an instant hit. Es could finish his moves with a dunk. Ed Booger Smith - The subject of the famous documentary Soul in the Hole, The documentary follows a Brooklyn team called Kenny's Kings, as it competes in the summer tournament at the Hole in Bedford-Stuy. OOO I PLAYED THE STREETS OF HOUSTON IN THE 80S N EARLY 90S I OWNED THE BASELINE!! My dad would get paid on a Friday and hed go do something special with the youngest oneoften that was go to McDonalds for a Big Mac. Alonzo Miles, Alimoe Evans was as close to a true to life legend as are made. New York - And1 streetball legend Troy Jackson aka Escalade died in his sleep last night. Had players like the ones on the following list never come along, modern basketball could consist solely of three-point shooting and flex offenses. But I have come to terms. Be the first one to comment on this story. A.I. Legendary streetballers such as Hot Sauce and The Professor would go from city to city, court to court to challenge the greatest streetballers in one-on-ones, entertaining fans and providing much of the footage for the ensuing Mixtapes. This ite is about AND1 and NBA! Most basketball players start on the streets or playgrounds, playing pickup games with . Told me Harlem loves me. The Player backed down to no one, and he wasnt afraid to say it.. AND1 began in the summer of93 in Philadelphia as a graduate school project of JayCoen Gilbert, Seth Berger, and Tom Austin who were selling t-shirts out of the backseat of their cars. Drew Gooden claims he saw Hook jump over a car with a 10 speed bike on top, yes you read that right. Days were spent embarrassing foes on the hardwood and nights were spent wheeling & dealing in his Bentley. No one is going to be comfortable arriving at a front desk and seeing you. A no nonsense player who always played to win, he never lost a game in Annapolis summer league. Lewis left Cal-St. LA after his sophomore season and was drafted in the first round (18th overall). The player logo perfectly represented the DNA of AND1 as a true streetball brand. The sport encourages players to showcase their . Half Man Half . Concurrently, And1 was turning streetballtheretofore seen as a non-commercially viable step-cousin to the structured NCAA and NBAinto big business with its Mix Tapes, tours and show on ESPN2. Kevin Couliau, Director of Doin It In The Park), R.I.P. Escalade was born on Jan. 11, 1973, in Queens, the youngest of five children, to Harry and Marie Jackson. Im just anti-social, says Sad Eye,Watson quit playing because he lost interest and the game wasnt fun. I first met him in the summer of 2003, when I made it onto the tour from open tryout, says Professor, who is still active on his highlight-heavy YouTube channel. Once the Skip Tape created major buzz for AND1, the brand began to produce multiple AND1 Mixtapes." 2005-2023 Ballislife.com PO Box 15355. Were at Marks church. Id say 2003-2004 was his prime. First Released Jun 6, 2006. Nicknamed the Answer, Iverson became the face of the NBA and combined the blacktop and the hardwood into one big, crowd-pleasing show. Then a few months into the season, Watson quit the team. Was supposed to go to Kansas but grades werent there. Then a legendary scrimmage in Philadelphia saw Lewis drop 60 points on number one pick Doug Collins. A state of the . In 1977 he returned to the Rucker Tournament after a four year absence to set a league record with 73 points in a game. All of these players who are mentioned here were gifted, but I have to say that with the omission of Arthur Sivels, your list/article is incomplete. Pick Doug Collins on number one pick Doug Collins, said this of CJ in an interview: the player! Not have heard of Rafer Alston, so heres a quick background on him front desk and seeing.... Jumped over 15 people in a game games with three-point shooting and flex offenses one to comment this. 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