Photo Courtesy of Ball Up Tour
The 12-city Ball-Up tour, www.ballupstreetball.com, just left LA and Troy “Escalade” Jackson took some time to share his personal thoughts on the newest version of the “streetball” phenomenon.
“What’s good Bounce! This is the big Escalade taking time to hit you guys up and let you know how the 2009 Ball Up tour is going. We had crazy fun in LA hooping with celebrities like Columbus Short, Tank, Donald Faison and Flex Alexander among others. I always love hitting up the city of angels and now we’re on our way to Memphis for our second tour stop. Only one word can describe this tour and that word is “fun”, these guys I’m with have been major representatives on the street ball scene for some time and its good to run with such talented individuals.”
Where are you from originally?
Born and raised in Queens NY, and I’m here to represent.
How did you get the nickname Escalade?
Way back in 1996 I was a junior in college and home in the summer playing in the Rucker. I was on the fast break when Skip to my Lou threw me a lob and I dunked on the guy trying to take the charge, he slid a few feet back and the MC told him that it looked like he got hit by a truck. Then people started calling me Escalade and after that it just stuck.
How did you get on with Ball Up?
Ball Up wanted their tour to represent the face of street ball. There are many other guys out there who don’t get the amount of shine we do, but all the guys on this squad have paid their dues for a minute. It was a no-brainer for me to hop on because I’ve played with these guys and I knew it was going to be a fun tour.
What’s the overall vibe of the tour like this year?
Fun is the only word that can describe it. We’ve got a good group of guys, everyone has a unique role and everyone does something different. It’s an honor to be apart of such a collection of talented players.
Which celebrity had the most game when you guys played the NBA Entertainers League in Los Angeles?
Donald Faison had the most game. Shout out to Faison.
Who are some of your influences in basketball?
Magic Johnson and my brother Mark Jackson.
What do you enjoy most about basketball?
I enjoy everything about the game! The winning, losing, and most especially camaraderie it brings. I couldn’t imagine anything in life giving me the same pleasure.
What is your most memorable moment playing basketball?
The 1997 NCAA tournament playing North Carolina in the final 4 when I was at Louisville. Sharing the court with guys like Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison and Dean Smith in front of 60,000 screaming fans is something I will never forget.
What is one stereotype of street ballers you wish would die down?
Most streetballer’s are guys that have played organized basketball, if you look at our squad most of our players have played in Division 1.
NBA vs Streetball
With streetball guys, it seems as if there’s one thing missing. Skip has proven that you can prove that you can take a playground guy and throw him into a franchise. Plus the streetball guys and NBA guys always mingle and compete so there is an equal respect.
Special thanks to Marcus at itgirlpublicrelations.com
April 24th, 2009 at 8:36 am
e says:
you know what streetball 2009 needs to bring back to the table the grittiness and grimminess nyc basketball needs that back rucker and those tourneys all that flash with no defense has to stop its becoming like the nba nobody wants to give that hard foul and play that tough defense bobbito we need those days were there were no jerseys you got a t shirt and played your heart out
April 26th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Z says:
So with most of Ball Ups players coming from And1 and/or a couple coming from Ball4Real/Ball4Life, what’s the future of And1 looking like now?
It’s really sad to witness first hand what corporate greediness can do to such talented and legendary streetball players and divide a family of young men who made streetball what it is today. It’s a disgrace and downright disrespectful to streetball pioneers Pee Wee Kirkland, Earl Manigault, etc…
Main Event, 1/2, Shane, Alimoe, Skip, 50, Hot Sauce, Sik Wit It, Go Get It, Helicopter, Spyda, Air Up There aka Mr 720, Circus, Pharmacist, High Octane, Baby Shaq, Flash (RIP), Special FX, AO, Prime Objective, Escalade, Professor, should all be together still packing arenas and selling out tickets on a tour EVERY SUMMER like they’ve done since it was moved from parks to arenas in 2003.
Corporate kiss-butts and shade/shiesty backstabbing (my own personal opinion) should never take the place of honest business and franchise practices for the sake of the almighty dollar.
In 2007, I attended the Ball4Real game in Chicago, IL.
It was a good game, just not the same. The OG’s filled seats and packed Open Runs TOGETHER. It was a good turn out, but you could still feel something was missing…
I’m sorry,I’m off my soap box now….
I will attend a Ball Up Game in Chicago to show my support for great streetball players. I always do.
My son and I haven’t missed a game in the Midwest since 1996 when it started with tours of about 4-6 major US cities in the park….
Keep up the good work and keep encouraging kids to follow their hoop dreams and stay in school!
Luv is Luv…
~Z
April 30th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
illest says:
z….welcome to the united states of america son.