"[1] Shackleford played College basketball for North Carolina State in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of the NCAA Division I from 1985 to 1988.

He was suspended in the fall of 1986 because of poor grades, being reinstated for the spring semester after an appeal and a contractual agreement to attend all classes, with the unusual involvement of chancellor Bruce Poulton.

[11] Shackleford returned to the United States to play in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1991, signing a three-year contract – with two years guaranteed – at a reported annual salary of $1.3 million.

[12] Despite this, Shackleford – at the time the most expensive import in Turkish basketball history – was released due to an injury, a cited lack of motivation and unwillingness to work.

[13] Moving to Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Basket League the next season, he helped the team win the European third tier 1997 Korać Cup, with his defensive effort in the second leg of the final described as determinant.

After a brief stint in the Continental Basketball Association with the Idaho Stampede, Shackleford joined the Charlotte Hornets in January 1999.

[11] Shackleford was arrested in Johnston County, North Carolina in January 2006 during a routine traffic stop, and was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and cocaine.

[18] Shackleford was also arrested in Kinston, North Carolina in July of that year, after he sold prescription drugs to an undercover deputy during a sting operation.

[19] Shackleford died in his Kinston, North Carolina home on the morning of January 27, 2017 at the age of 50 after suffering from a heart attack.