Amanda Knapp
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 games follow a set of rules that deviate from the official FIBA 3-on-3 basketball rules, and the league takes place during the NBA offseason. The league debuted in 2017, and the games feature a fast-paced and physical style of play, with additional entertainment elements such as 4-point shot contests and musical performances. The rules of Fireball3, a basketball variant played by BIG3, differ from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games, with unique rules for fouls and free throws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | 3-on-3 basketball |
| Founding | Founded in 2017 by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz |
| Teams | 12 teams, including location-based franchises |
| Players | Rosters include former NBA players and international players |
| Rules | Deviations from official FIBA 3-on-3 rules, including variations in point systems and foul rules |
| Season | Takes place during the NBA offseason |
| Awards | Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, 4th Man, Defensive Player of the Year, etc. |
| Initiatives | Young3, a youth initiative in partnership with Adidas and Boys & Girls Clubs of America |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz
- The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA and international players
- The rules differ from official FIBA 3-on-3 rules, and the game Fireball3 is based on Big3 rules
- The Big3 has various awards, including Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year
- The Big3 has a youth initiative called Young3, held in conjunction with Adidas
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 by the hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams with rosters that include former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason. The rules of BIG3 games deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. For example, a shooting foul awards one free throw, worth the same number of points as the fouled shot, and two-point shots are taken from the free-throw line.
The first BIG3 draft was held on April 30, 2017, and the inaugural week of games took place on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Trilogy took home the BIG3's inaugural championship trophy in 2017, and the league's trophy was named in honour of Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Julius Erving in 2018. In 2018, the Power won the championship, and in 2019, the Triplets were awarded the trophy.
The BIG3 has also been used as a platform to give back to the community. In conjunction with Adidas, the league launched Young3, a youth initiative for underprivileged children, held in each city with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Additionally, the BIG3 has been expanding its reach through the sale of location-based franchises, with teams based in Miami, Houston, and Detroit debuting in 2025.
The BIG3 provides fans with a unique and exciting basketball experience. Each ticket grants fans access to four fast-paced, physical, 50-minute 3-on-3 basketball games, entertainment experiences such as 4-point shot contests and BMX bikers, and halftime performances from top musical artists.
Basketball Cards: Worth the Investment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The league consists of 12 teams, including former NBA and international players
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, with rosters including former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 league debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
The 12 teams in the BIG3 league include the Chicago Triplets, the Dallas Power, the Boston Ball Hogs, the Detroit Amps, the Houston Rig Hands, the LA Riot, the Miami 305, and the DMV Trilogy. These teams feature a mix of former NBA players and international talent, coming together to compete in a fast-paced, physical, and entertaining style of 3-on-3 basketball.
The rules of BIG3 games deviate slightly from the official FIBA 3-on-3 rules. For example, a shooting foul awards one free throw, worth the same number of points as the shot that was fouled. Two-point shots are taken from the free-throw line, while three-point shots are taken from the three-point line, and four-point shots originate from the midline four-point circle.
The BIG3 has gained popularity since its inception, with the introduction of location-based franchises in cities like Miami, Houston, and Detroit, set to debut in 2025. The league has also launched initiatives such as Young3, a collaboration with Adidas aimed at providing opportunities for underprivileged youth.
The BIG3 provides an exciting platform for basketball fans to witness the skills and competitiveness of former NBA and international players in a unique and intense 3-on-3 format.
Olympic Basketball: Point System's Impact on Gameplay
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99 $17.98
The rules differ from official FIBA 3-on-3 rules, and the game Fireball3 is based on Big3 rules
Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The rules of Big3 games contain deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. The rules of Fireball3, the basketball variant played by Big3, differ from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games.
In Big3, a shooting foul awards one free throw, which is worth the same number of points as the fouled shot. This differs from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 (3x3) games, where a shooting foul results in one free throw if the basket attempt was made, and a number of free throws equal to the value of the shot attempt if the basket attempt was missed. All free throws in 3x3 are worth 1 point.
Another difference is the ball used. In Big3, a size 7 ball with a red colour called the "Fireball" is used. This is the same size ball used in the men's full-court game. In contrast, the ball used in 3x3 competitions, whether for men, women, or mixed teams, weighs the same as a size 7 ball but has the circumference of a size 6 ball used in the women's full-court game.
Instant replay is also used in Big3 to determine 3- and 4-point shots, out-of-bounds calls, flagrant fouls, goaltending, basket interference, and clearance. All defensive strategies are allowed, including hand-checking, which is prohibited in the NBA. Additionally, each team in Big3 may challenge one foul call per half under the "Bring the Fire" rule, resulting in an in-game one-on-one possession to determine the winner of the call.
The Birthplace of Basketball: Where it All Began
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$47.62 $51.48
The Big3 has various awards, including Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year
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, including former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 season takes place during the NBA offseason. The league features a two-week post-season in August, which includes a semifinals round and a championship game. The winners of the championship are awarded the Julius Erving Championship Trophy.
The BIG3 has various awards, including Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Coach of the Year. The results of the BIG3's awards are announced shortly before the championship game. Other award categories include 4th Man, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Best Trash Talker. The awards are voted on by fellow players and coaches.
The BIG3 MVP award is given to the player who leads the league in scoring. In 2017, the league's MVP was 3 Headed Monsters forward Rashard Lewis. In 2018, Power's Corey Maggette was awarded MVP and Captain of the Year. In 2021, Kevin Murphy won the BIG3 MVP award, leading the league in scoring with 26 points per game.
The Coach of the Year award is given to the coach who has made a significant impact on their team's performance. In 2017, Trilogy's Rick Mahorn won the Coach of the Year award. In 2018, Power's Nancy Lieberman was awarded Coach of the Year. In 2022, Reggie Theus of the 3 Headed Monsters was named Coach of the Year.
The Evolution of the 3-Point Line in Pro Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Big3 has a youth initiative called Young3, held in conjunction with Adidas
The 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 with rosters that include former NBA players and international players. The Big3 made its debut in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
In each city, the Big3 and Adidas also invest time and money into improving the infrastructure of community courts. This community outreach program aims to engage young audiences in the growing popularity of 3-on-3 basketball, which was added as an official event at the 2020 Olympic Games. Jerome 'Junk Yard Dog' Williams, a former NBA star, serves as the President of Young3 and oversees the league's community outreach efforts.
Through initiatives like Young3, the Big3 and Adidas are committed to player development and community engagement, using the sport of 3-on-3 basketball to positively impact and enrich the lives of young people in the communities they visit.
Tennis Shoes vs Basketball Shoes: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz.
The BIG3 debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
The rules of Big3 games contain deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA. For example, a shooting foul awards one free throw, worth the same number of points as the fouled shot.
The BIG3 consists of 12 teams whose rosters include both former NBA players and international players. Notable players include Dwight Howard, Kemba Walker, and Michael Beasley, who won the 2024 BIG3 title as part of Bivouac.
