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The BIG3, founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, is a 3-on-3 basketball league that debuted in 2017. The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA players and international players. The term Big 3 in basketball can also refer to the three best players on a team or any team with three star players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding date | 2017 |
| Founders | Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz |
| Format | 3-on-3 basketball |
| Teams | 12 |
| Player profile | Former NBA, WNBA, international, and college players |
| Rules | Deviations from official 3-on-3 rules, including unique "Fireball" mechanic |
| Scoring | Behind the arc: 3 points, inside: 2 points, distance markers: 4 points |
| Season structure | Multiple teams travel city-to-city over 9 weeks |
| Awards | Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, 4th Man, Defensive Player of the Year |
| Past champions | The Trilogy (2017, 2021, 2022), The Power (2018), The Triplets (2019), The Enemies (2023), Bivouac (2024) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz
- It debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason
- The rules of Big3 games differ from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball
- Teams travel city to city over a 9-week season to play a single-day series of games
- The winners of the Big3 league in 2023 were the Enemies
The Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz
The Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded and debuted in 2017 by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA, WNBA, international, and college players, as well as Hall of Famers. The games are played on a half-court, with three players per team, and the winner is the first team to reach 50 points, winning by a margin of at least 2 points. The Big3 rules deviate from the official FIBA 3-on-3 rules, with the introduction of the "Fireball" mechanic, where a coach can challenge a call, signalled by flames from metal towers. The league also features unique four-point zones on the court.
The inaugural Big3 champions were The Trilogy, who also took home the trophy in 2021 and 2022. The Power won in 2018, followed by The Triplets in 2019. The league did not crown a champion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, The Enemies were the champions, and in 2024, Bivouac won their first title.
The Big3 provides an opportunity for players to nominate and vote for fellow players and coaches in various award categories, such as Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, 4th Man, and Defensive Player of the Year. These awards are announced before the championship game.
The Big3 has attracted sponsors such as Total Wireless, Walmart, Capital One, Merck, Coors, and Lowe's, and has a dedicated fan following, with tickets priced at $25 per seat. The league has also gained traction for its exciting and relentless pace, resembling the style of city streetball courts.
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It debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason
Big3 (stylized as BIG3) is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. It debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason. The league consists of 12 teams, with rosters including former NBA players and international players. The rules of Big3 games deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA.
The debut of Big3 in 2017 was marked by the inaugural championship, won by The Trilogy. The league has since grown in popularity, with the 2017-2019 format being reused in 2022, showcasing the league's stability and consistency. The format, however, did not feature a 3rd place game. The Power won the league's second championship in 2018, and the Triplets were awarded the trophy in 2019.
The Big3 league has continued to evolve, with the announcement of Fireball3 in January 2020. This new basketball variant is based on the unique rules of Big3, featuring three "four-point zones" and differing start procedures. The league has also attracted notable sponsors and partners, such as Adidas, which launched a three-year partnership in 2018, and more recently, sponsors like Total Wireless, Walmart, Capital One, Merck, and Coors in 2024.
Taking place during the NBA offseason, the Big3 league provides an exciting alternative for basketball fans and players alike. The schedule allows former NBA players and international talent to remain active and competitive during the traditional league's downtime. The timing also creates a unique opportunity for fans to continue enjoying high-level basketball action throughout the year, bridging the gap between NBA seasons.
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The rules of Big3 games differ from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball
Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by the hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams whose rosters include both former NBA players and international players. The rules of Big3 games contain deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. It debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
The rules of Fireball3, the basketball variant played by Big3, differ from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 (branded as 3x3) games. For instance, in 3x3 basketball, each team consists of three players and one substitute, with three players on the court when the game begins. Substitutions occur during a dead-ball situation and they can only enter from behind the end line opposite the basket. A substitution becomes official once the player leaving the game has 'tagged up' by making physical contact with the substitute. The game begins with the defensive team passing the ball to the offensive team to signify the start of the game. All offensive players must begin outside of the arc, and the defensive team must start inside of the arc. Once the offensive team receives the ball, the clock starts.
In contrast, Fireball3 games are played on a half-court, with standard two- and three-point shots applying. There are also three "four-point zones" on a circle 30 feet away from the basket. One is on the midline of the court, and the other two are 40 degrees away from the midline. To score four points, a player's foot must be touching any part of a circle.
Additionally, the bonus free-throw rules differ between the two rule sets. In Fireball3, after the fifth team foul in each half, opponents are guaranteed two one-point free throws and possession of the ball. Teams do not enter the bonus in 3x3 until the 7th team foul in a game, at which point the non-fouling team receives two free throws but not possession. Only on the 10th team foul does the non-fouling team receive two free throws and possession.
Furthermore, in 3x3 basketball, every successful shot inside the arc, including free throws, is awarded one point, while every successful shot outside of the arc is awarded two points. An offensive player may not dribble inside the arc with their back or side to the basket for more than 3 consecutive seconds. For either violation, the defensive team is granted possession. A tie in the regulation time of 10 minutes leads to an untimed overtime period.
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Teams travel city to city over a 9-week season to play a single-day series of games
BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA players and international players. BIG3 debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, players under 30 years old were ineligible to compete in the league. In 2019, the minimum age limit was lowered to 27, and in 2021, it was further lowered to 22. BIG3 began with eight teams in 2017: 3's Company, 3 Headed Monsters, Ball Hogs, Ghost Ballers, Killer 3's, Power, Trilogy, and Tri-State. In 2019, the league expanded to 12 teams, adding Bivouac, Enemies, Aliens, and Triplets.
Prior to 2025, all BIG3 teams were "barnstorming" teams, meaning they did not represent any specific cities or geographical regions. However, in 2025, the format was changed to incorporate location-based franchises. The first of these location-based teams was based in Los Angeles, followed by Miami, Houston, and Detroit, all of which debuted in 2025.
During the inaugural season in 2017, each week, a different city hosted four games in which all eight teams would compete. This format continued through the 2018 season, with an eight-game, eight-week regular season from late June through mid-August. While the specific format may have evolved since then, the BIG3 season generally spans multiple weeks, with teams travelling to various cities to compete in a series of games.
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The winners of the Big3 league in 2023 were the Enemies
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by rapper and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams, with rosters including former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 league rules deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball, with unique rules such as the "Bring the Fire" challenge rule and four-point zones.
In 2023, the Enemies were crowned the winners of the BIG3 league. The Enemies' victory marked the end of the league's Summer of Fire, with the championship matchup taking place at the O2 arena in London. The Enemies' success in 2023 was a redemption story, as they had fallen short in 2022, despite a thrilling Week 2 win over Bivouac.
The Enemies' triumph in the BIG3 league can be attributed to the leadership of Coach of the Year, George "The Iceman" Gervin, a former NBA legend. Additionally, the team benefited from the versatile gameplay of Michael Beasley and the strategic coaching of Charles Oakley, who utilised the super-sub Dominique Johnson, the league's 4th Man of the Year.
The Enemies' championship win in 2023 was a significant moment in the BIG3 league's history, with the season being broadcast live and streamed on various platforms, including CBS and the BIG3's own website. The league has continued to grow and evolve, with partnerships, rule changes, and the inclusion of female coaches and players, showcasing its impact on the basketball world.
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Frequently asked questions
A Big 3 in basketball refers to a team of three star players who were all proven number one options on different teams before joining together. It does not refer to the best three players on a team.
BIG3 (stylized as BIG3) is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by rapper Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams with rosters including former NBA, WNBA, international, and college players.
The rules of the Big3 league differ from those of traditional basketball. Games are played on a half-court with three players per team and are untimed, usually lasting about an hour. The winner is the first team to reach 50 points, and there are unique rules such as the "Fireball," a coach-instigated 1-on-1 play.
