Above you will find a photo still from Nike’s “Rucker Park 1975″ commercial which was directed by the Hughes Brothers in 2002 and recreated the ol’ Rucker Pro League atmosphere so well that “Pee Wee” Kirkland was getting phone calls for weeks saying, “Yo, where did they find that old footage of you and Joe [Hammond]?!” I was the announcer in the TV spot, and it ran for a couple of weeks to promote Vince “Dr. Funk” Carter’s new shoe that season.
The player in the photo of above though is none other than real life EBC @ Rucker Park multiple All-Star and former champion Seth “Up North” Marshall, who for years terrorized ‘55th, Nike Pro City, NYC Pro-Am, and about every other tournament you can mention (of course when he wasn’t wearing the Nike wig)! The Queens native played D1 at Fresno St. and had a try out with the Philadelphia 76ers, played overseas a little and even had enough tricks in him to appear in the classic Nike “Freestyle” commercial in 2001. He was also featured in the HBO documentary On Hallowed Ground and MTV’s Harlem Hoops.
In more recent years, Seth has played showball for the Harlem Magic Masters and made appearances in various 35 and over leagues. I bumped into him recently on the iron horse, and he told me he his desire to play had slowed down immensely. Man, if any of you could’ve seen him in his prime. Seth was one of those dudes that averaged 35 to 40 against the city’s top top players, including the NBA guys that were home for the summer.
Recognize the true legends when you see them, even if they appear in a poster acting as someone else!
Props.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:53 am
nosmelone says:
I remember seeing him on the slams from the streets streetball videos (I think it was the first one or two)and of course the above mentioned On Hallowed Ground. Him and Captain Nappy and a few others.
November 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Casey Lee says:
It’s funny how nowadays, people walk down the street and pass former players or legendary coaches and don’t even recognize them.
Times surely have changed with media today…
It’s funny how if you don’t know Tyron “Alimoe” Evans or Aaron “AO” Owens, then you haven’t cop’ed those latest ’streetball DVDs’ or watched enough YouTube videos…
Back then, it was all about Street Credibility…what do players get today? Media Credibility aka Hollywood Status.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Feets Malone says:
Seth Marshall is an absolute Pro and all around good dude!!! Last summer a few guys were paid tribute to their prowess at Nike’s Pro City. The only problem with this was the guys were still playing!? and a few key guys were missing! Seth is one of those guys!!! Could you imagine David Stern presenting MJ with a lifetime achievement or HOF award before he took the floor against Phoenix or pulling Magic, Kareem and Larry to half court before they did battle??? Absolutely, bonkers!!!
Seth is a guy that has done so much for basketball in the city and has so much to add to the game it’s a shame no one has tapped his expertise. Seth was fun to watch and he played the game the way it was meant to be played!!!
PROPS!!!