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Streetballer Troy "Escalade" Jackson Dies in L.A. Hotel Room
Troy Jackson, a streetballer nicknamed "Escalade," and the younger brother of ESPN analyst and former New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson "died in his sleep early Sunday morning while in Los Angeles for NBA All-Star Weekend," according to the Bleacher Report. He was 35.
Jackson, considered a "gentle giant" at 6'10" and 400 pounds, traveled the world playing with the Ball Up streetball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the And 1 Mixtape Tour, for the past decade. He played for Louisville from 1996 to 1998.
"His death sent shockwaves through the basketball community, especially among close friends of the Jackson family," notes the NY Daily News of the New York native. A representative from the Los Angeles County Coroner's office says Jackson was found unresponsive in his hotel room shortly before noon on Sunday. The cause of Jackson's death is unknown, and an autopsy is pending.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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