John Strickland is a veteran of streetball. At 33, he has graduated from a young, chubby, low-post presence called “Baby Panda” to a big man with post-up abilities now known as “The Franchise.”
Born in the Bronx, but raised in Washington Heights, “The Franchise” has built a name and reputation as one of the most solid and consistent streetballers. He plays professionally overseas, but returns with the warm weather for the NYC summer leagues.
When he was still “Baby Panda”, back in ’97, Strickland came close to teaming up with Patrick Ewing. “Last day, last cut,” Strickland says of his close encounter with the NBA.
“I played in some summer league games for [the Knicks] and was even featured offensively. One game I had thirty-something points.”
Strickland openly admits he didn’t make the most of his shot at the bigtime, making young and foolish mistakes off the court. “Coach [Jeff Van Gundy] made it real clear he wasn’t gonna let me get away with no lateness or anything like that.”
As Strickland has morphed into “The Franchise” he has matured into a player who embodies his nickname. He was re-dubbed by a former coach, Juan Perez (a co-owner of The 40/40 Club) who one season declared Strickland no longer a “baby, he’s my franchise.” This summer Strickland is focusing on his United Brooklyn team which plays in Pro City and at West 4th St. A true franchise-player he has attracted other big-name talent to join the team in the Hornets’ J.R. Smith.
“Coming up he was a fan of mine” Strickland says of his young teammate, “and now he’s just calling me all the time like ‘Strick, where we playing today?’ He’s got it made now. I just tell him to stay focused on his game and remind him to work on his defense.”
Of course, outside NYC Strickland isn’t the name that comes to mind when you hear “The Franchise,” which is also the nickname of NBA star Steve Francis. “One thing about Harlem is they keep it real,” Strickland says relating a story about the other Franchise. “About two years ago he [Francis] came to a summer game and the announcer told him, ‘sorry, no disrespect, but we can’t call you Franchise, he’s playing next. But we’ll get you a name.’ That was really something.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
TODAY
West 4th Basketball League
The Cage (West 3rd & 6th Avenue)
6 p.m. DDN vs. Cha-Ching
Dyckman College/Pro League
Msgr. Kett Playground (204th St. & Nagle)
6:30 p.m. Bowens Basketball vs. Team 914
7:45 p.m. Take No Prisoners vs. Bway Ent
Nike Pro City
Hunter College Gymnasium (68th St. & Lexington)
6:30 p.m. Nike “E” One vs. Prime Time
8:30 p.m. United Brooklyn vs. Gold’s Gym
TOMORROW, JULY 13
West 4th Basketball League
6 p.m. Ray Hands All Star
Dyckman College/Pro League
6:30 p.m. Team Dynasty vs. Anotha Level
7:45 p.m. Dominican Power vs. Start N 5
THURSDAY, JULY 14
West 4th Basketball League
6:00 p.m. Pick & Roll vs. Money Train
Dyckman Seniors League
6:15 p.m. Martin Luther King vs. Black Butta
7:15 p.m. Complete Game vs. Riverside Hawks
8:15 p.m. Dyckman vs. Harlem Lions
Nike Pro City
6:30 p.m. Dyckman vs. N.Y. Skyriders
8:30 p.m. PDG Queensbridge vs. Uptowners
FRIDAY, JULY 15
West 4th Basketball League
6 p.m. Macy’s vs. Chazz Hoops
Dyckman College/Pro League
6:30 p.m. JTA vs. KYDA
7:45 p.m. 84th Street vs. Da Young Ones
SATURDAY, JULY 16
West 4th Basketball League
3 p.m. Lance All Stars vs. United Brooklyn
4:30 p.m. Paradize vs. Youngsters
6 p.m. Pick & Roll vs. DDN
Dyckman College/Pro League
4 p.m. Team Fam vs. Da Posse
SUNDAY, JULY 17
West 4th Basketball League
4:30 p.m. Macy’s vs. Paradize
6 p.m. Bowens Basketball vs. Youngsters
Dyckman Seniors League
4:15 p.m. CYG vs. Moonkies All-Stars
5:15 p.m. Bounce Magazine vs. Kingdome Ballers
6:15 p.m. Body Snatchers vs. KYDA
MONDAY, JULY 18
West 4th Basketball League
6 p.m. Rock Scorers vs. X-Men
Dyckman College/Pro League
6:30 p.m. Ooh Way Ent. vs. 84th Street
7:45 p.m. Anotha Level vs. Da Young Ones
