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!
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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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