via nyknicks.com
The New York City community lost a legendary figure this past week when charismatic streetball player John Strickland passed away in his sleep at the age of 38.
Strickland, who was more commonly known through his alias as “The Franchise,” reached star status in the basketball community without ever playing a single game in the NBA. He famously coined the phrase “finish your breakfast,” which meant shaking your defender and then scoring on him off the dribble. Strickland was mentioned in the hit Jay-Z song “Public Service Announcement,” where the rapper states, “No one can do it better. I check cheddar like a food inspector. My homey Strick told me, 'Dude, finish your breakfast.'"
The news of Strickland’s death quickly spread through Twitter and Facebook feeds, with NBA players reaching out to express their sadness over his sudden passing. Others shared memories of his playing days on area courts such as Rucker Park, where stories of the Brooklyn native’s contributions in the community will forever ring through 155th Street.
Widely considered to be one of the best streetball players ever, the 6-foot-8 forward was invited to Knicks training camp in 1996, but failed to make the team after playing his college basketball at Hawaii Pacific University. He also played six seasons in the USBL, where he averaged 22 points and 7.7 rebounds in 95 games.
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