Remembering Tyrone “Alimoe” Evans

[Streetball’s Finest  – 2.26.13] – Remembering Tyrone “Alimoe” Evans

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Various sources

Today marked a very sad day for basketball fans everywhere, as former AND1 Mixtape standout Tyrone “Alimoe” Evans A.K.A. The Black Widow passed away.  Initially introduced worldwide in AND1 Mixtape Tour Volume 6, the Harlem-born streetball legend reportedly died due to a seizure, most likely complications from his bout with diabetes (this according to his close friend and another AND1 Mixtape player Aaron “AO” Owens via Instagram).

Nicknamed the Black Widow, the 6’8” Evans was fondly remembered for his crazy handles despite his lanky frame, as well as his electrifying dunks.  Fellow AND1 Mixtape Volume 6 alum, Troy “Escalade” Jackson has also passed away back in February 2011 (click  HERE for related article).

Alimoe’s former AND1 teammates have been overcome by grief and shock with his sudden passing, and their reactions have resounded online, via Twitter and Instagram, where they posted images of him and offered their messages of condolences.  Posted below are some of their reactions.

Baby Shaq

Helicopter

AO

Hot Sauce

Professor

Roscoe

Silk

I’ve posted some Alimoe images and Youtube videos below, and in behalf of the AND1 Ph family, we offer a quiet moment for one of the most influential streetball legends in And1 history.

R.I.P. Alimoe.  Gone…but not forgotten.

During his heyday, The Black Widow regularly destroyed the competition with 

his crazy handles, sick dimes, and flair for the spectacular plays.

Alimoe's ballhandling skills were legendary.

Alimoe provided insights and a dribbling tutorial for 

aspiring basketball players, as shown in video below.

Remembering Antoine “Flash” Howard

[Streetball’s Finest  – 3.10.12] – Remembering Antoine “Flash” Howard

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Various sources – Hoopsvibe/Courtsidebasketball

March 2004 was a very sad time in And1 Mixtape history, and for the streetball world in general.  One of the game’s most colorful personalities, Antoine Howard aka FLASH passed away after losing his battle with a brain tumor.

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Howard burst into the streetball scene back in the Volume 4 of the And1 Mixtape Tour and has become very popular due to his incredible leaping ability for a guard standing only 6’0”, and explosiveness off the dribble.  Also able to dish the rock like the best of them, his flashy style of playground basketball has earned him the monicker of Flash. 

(Sidenote: While we share the same nickname, mine was derived from an entirely different root, but our affinity of speed and flair for the spectacular is nonetheless shared).

I’ve posted some Youtube videos below, and in behalf of the And1 Ph family, we offer a quiet moment for one of the most charismatic streetball legends in And1 Mixtape history.

R.I.P. Flash.  Gone…but not forgotten.

And another video about Flash made by LilSam02.  Click HERE.

Remembering Troy “Escalade” Jackson

[Streetball’s Finest  – 2.20.12] – Remembering Troy “Escalade” Jackson

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Various sources

Exactly a year ago, one of the biggest names in And1 Mixtape Tour passed away and since then, there has been a huge void left by the one we affectionately call Escalade, whose real name was Troy Jackson (younger brother to former NBA player and current in-game commentator Mark “Action” Jackson).

Born January 11, 1976, Escalade joined the And1 Mixtape Tour back in 2002 and has been a fixture on the team due to his incredible size and agility for a big man.  Nicknamed after the Cadillac SUV, Troy possessed uncanny court vision and ball handling skills most common for a guard and at his size (6’10”, close to 500 lbs), it was virtually unheard of.

A gentle giant, Escalade came to be known as a fun-loving member of the And1 team, and has shown a strong advocacy for STD prevention, which can be traced to one of his brothers having succumbed to AIDS back in 1980.  The news of his sudden death last February 20, 2011 was met with extreme sadness in the basketball community, and according to sources, he died in his sleep.

I’ve posted some Escalade images and Youtube videos below, and in behalf of the And1 Ph family, we offer a quiet moment for one of the most recognizable streetball legends in And1 history.

R.I.P. Escalade.  Gone…but not forgotten.

Escalade Mix (Youtube video)

Troy 'Escalade' Jackson Legacy (Youtube video)