Ice Cube along with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz joined efforts to launch BIG3, a new, 3-on-3, half-court basketball league that will feature some of the best players to ever play the game. Former National Basketball Players Association Deputy Executive Director and NBA player Roger Mason, Jr. will serve as the league’s Commissioner and President.
The BIG3 will begin in June 2017, and will unite basketball greats and their biggest fans with an entertaining 3-on-3 basketball league played in arenas across the country. The new league will bring fans legendary NBA superstars competing against one another, in never-before-seen matchups and team pairings. Former NBA players who have officially committed to participate include Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups, Gary Payton, Kenyon Martin, Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O’Neal, Rashard Lewis, Jason Williams, Bonzi Wells, Mike Bibby and George “The Iceman” Gervin. Payton and Gervin will serve as coaches, with Iverson serving as a player/coach – the rest are confirmed to play.
The BIG3 will comprise eight teams of five players, one head coach and one assistant coach. Regular season games will take place each Saturday from June 24 through August 12, with playoff games played on August 19 and 26. The BIG3 will take place each week in a different arena and city across the country, with all four games happening on the same day in the same venue, creating the excitement of a Final Four or All-Star Game atmosphere.
Games will be played up to 60 points, with the first team to reach the 60-point mark the winner. Halftime will take place when the first team reaches 30 points. Designed as a player-centric league, BIG3 will feature 40 players, with the players earning a 52 percent revenue share. The revenue split will be determined by the final league standings, including postseason results in order to maximize competitiveness between the teams.
The BIG3’s weekly festivals will be among the most exciting sports atmospheres in the world by intertwining competitive games featuring basketball legends and superstar entertainment and halftime shows. Adding to the highly energetic games will be individualized music and introductions and fan interaction with players and exhibits before and after the games.
Photo Credit – Getty Images for BIG3
