Troy “Escalade” Jackson AND1 Legend

Troy “Escalade” Jackson, a Queens native and younger brother of Mark Jackson, starred at Louisville before becoming a fan favorite on the AND1 Mixtape Tour and a force at Rucker Park’s EBC

Troy “Escalade” Jackson was born on January 11, 1973, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, the youngest of five children of Marie and Harry Jackson.

He grew up alongside siblings Mark (future NBA star), Ana Maria, Kevin, and Harry Jr., sharing a close bond with his eldest brother. Troy Jackson

As a senior at Half Hollow Hills East High School (Long Island), Troy weighed close to 500 lb (227 kg), yet he dominated the court. His performances at Rucker Park earned nationwide attention—not just because of his size, but his skills.

Recruiters were intrigued. Wallace Community College coach Bill Hughley offered Troy a chance in Selma, Alabama: a full scholarship despite his weight, and Troy thrived, earning all-region honors as a sophomore—even while playing at over 500 lb.

His success at Wallace led to a scholarship from University of Louisville under Denny Crum—but negotiations included a condition: Troy had to get below 500 lb. By senior year, he’d slimmed down to around 363 lb, showing discipline and resolve.

At Louisville, Troy was well-liked. Senior associate athletic director Kenny Klein said Troy “was very well liked here.” He suited up in 20 games, averaging ~3.0 PPG and 1.6 RPG in a reserve role—a tough shift but a valuable experience.

After college, Troy had a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters and remained active in NY streetball. Then came a breakthrough: Troy joined the AND1 Mixtape Tour in 2002, embracing streetball at 6′10″ and ~375 lb under the nickname “Escalade.”

He became a streetball star. A towering figure on court, he was a “big teddy bear” off it—intimidating at first but known for warm chats and genuine kindness. Fans loved him.

By 2005, Escalade was so popular he landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated, a moment hailed as a feat for streetball culture—and a rare accolade independent of NBA fame.

His AND1 teammates, including Grayson “The Professor” Boucher, remember his humility. He never leaned on Mark’s NBA fame—he wanted to succeed on his own merits.

Troy’s relationship with Mark deepened through their shared basketball lives. Mark said they talked daily on the phone. Yet Troy resisted riding on Mark’s coattails out of pride and principle: “He didn’t want to leech off his brother’s fame,” said Boucher.

Their mother Marie recalled Troy was mature but still had a “brat” phase, then blossomed into the “gentle giant” she cherished. Troy Jackson Information

Troy’s proximity to the Knicks’ 1987–88 season—when Mark joined New York as a rookie amid Patrick Ewing and Rick Pitino—gave Troy exposure to elite basketball culture, even if he stayed in the streetball world.

Although Troy drew attention in Louisville, his path remained streetball. He turned AND1 into a full-time career: “Streetball was the place for him. And he did not work another day in his life,” Marie Jackson said.

His AND1 presence was more than performance—it was personality. Tour PR Mandy Murphy said Escalade won fans by talking about their lives and treating them with respect.

Yet Troy’s story took a tragic turn. He died on February 20, 2011, in Los Angeles at age 38, from hypertensive heart disease—a loss felt deeply by family, friends, and fans worldwide.

The streetball community mourned. The AND1 Tour paused; Mark Jackson and others publicly grieved for the man who carried an outsized presence with equal heart.

Off court, Troy cared deeply. He advocated for STD prevention, leveraging his fame to support others—a powerful example of his soft commitment to causes beyond basketball.

At around 6′10″ and fluctuating between 360–500 lb, Troy was powerful enough to drive the lane and warm enough to talk for hours with fans. That blend made him unforgettable.

He was featured as part of NBA All-Star Weekend coverage and tags as a “streetball legend” in Jet magazine. Many fans first learned of him through the leaked AND1 mixtapes before ESPN2 made them mainstream.

Escalade’s legacy reminds us that athletic fame isn’t always court-lined and NBA-defined. It can arise from charisma, community, and craft—qualities he embodied deeply.

Troy “Escalade” Jackson’s journey—from near-500-pound Queens kid to streetball icon—speaks to perseverance, presence, and personality. He smoothed hoops culture with every crossover, dunk, and smile.

Years after his passing, Troy “Escalade” Jackson still holds a special place in the hearts of basketball fans everywhere. Whether it’s rewatching classic AND1 Mixtapes, sharing stories of his kindness and talent, or hearing his brother Mark reflect on their unbreakable bond, Escalade’s legacy continues to inspire. AND1 first launched in 1993, but it was the early 2000s Mixtape Tour that took streetball mainstream—and for many of us, it became a summer tradition. When the NBA season wrapped up, AND1 filled that void, offering electric hoops, swagger, and community.

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