The BIG3 3v3 basketball league, curated by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, is currently playing out its seventh full season. Each year the league has grown immensely in popularity, playing games in multiple cities while featuring some of professional basketball’s most recognizable talent. Ice Cube’s initial idea to start the BIG3 came from one special moment: Kobe Bryant’s final NBA game.
Setting The Foundation
“I had paid to see him play for 20 years and now it was over…it made me dream up a league where if guys wanted to keep going and wanted to continue”, Cube said in an interview with the Miami Herald. The Big3 is a platform for basketball lovers to see some of their favorite players play, even after their NBA career has ended. Allen Iverson, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, & Gilbert Arenas are just a small portion of alums to play in the 3v3 league. Last year’s all-star game sent shockwave’s in the basketball world as one current NBA superstar made an appearance.
2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown became the first ever current NBA player to play in a BIG3 event. “Having some fun for charity, giving back to the community, and supporting…excited to be a part of this, and I appreciate you, Ice Cube,” Brown said about his reasoning to play. The finals MVP would finish the game with nine points, five rebounds, and two assists, but his impact in bringing a bigger spotlight to the league was far more impressive.
2024 BIG3 Season Updates
The league just announced it will be adding two new teams starting next season. Houston and Miami are the latest additions to the now fourteen team league. Through week seven, the push to the playoffs has been a tight race. Enemies and Bivouac currently sit atop of the standings (3-0), while four teams are currently tied for second at 2-1 (Triplets, Tri-State, 3’s Company, Ghost).
Enemies are the current reigning champs in the BIG3. They will look to defend their crown in Boston for the finals, led by NBA veteran Jordan Crawford. The next set of games will take place in Newark, New Jersey. To purchase tickets for all remaining stop check out the BIG3 official website.
Remaining Schedule
July 7th – Newark, New Jersey • Prudential Center
July 14th – Anaheim, California • Honda Center
July 20th – Portland, Oregon • Moda Center
July 28th – Cincinnati, Ohio • Heritage Bank Center
August 4th – San Antonio, Texas • Frost Bank Center
August 11th – Nashville, Tennessee • Bridgestone Arena
August 18th – Boston, Massachusetts • TD Garden
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