The Utica native, born on March 17, 1956, achieved early prominence at age 14 when he scored 44 points in one half while playing for the St Joseph's-St Patrick's School basketball team.

He continued his hot scoring pace as a 6-foot-1 forward-center at Notre Dame High School, playing all four varsity seasons. He led the Central Oneida League in scoring as a sophomore, averaging 18.4 points per game.

He became the Jugglers' all-time leading scorer upon his graduation in 1975 (1,191 points), now the fifth-best overall. Captain and most valuable player in his senior year, Shackleford led his team to the Section III championship, and was selected to the all-state, second all-star learn. One of the highlights for Notre Dame that season was beating nationally-ranked DeMatha Catholic High School, and finishing with a third-place state ranking.

He was rated among the top 50 high school players by Street And Smith, a college sports publication, and was recruited by more than 200 Division I colleges. He settled on a site close 10 home and family, Syracuse University. He grew to 6-foot-5, and was the first freshman to start for the Orange's vaunted varsity under Coach Ray Danforth. He was the first to play all five positions during the four years.

Shackleford ranks eighth all-time at SU in steals (207), 11th in total rebounds (851), and 12th in assists (358). He averaged 13 points per game during his career.

In 1979, he was drafted in the sixth round of the NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.

After getting cut in rookie camp, he tried out with the Boston Celtics, then played in a few exhibition games for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Two years later, he went overseas, playing pro ball in Italy and Chile. He later found a home in England, where he toiled for 10 seasons, including three seasons as player-coach. He racked up player of the year honors in the 1983-84 and 1989-90 seasons.

Shackleford is employed as a caseworker for the Oneida County Department of Social Services. He was an assistant basketball coach for Herkimer County Community College in the 200 1-02 season, and helped the Generals make the regional playoffs for the first lime in seven years.