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. The BIG3 basketball variant, Fireball3, differs from FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games in several ways, including unique four-point shooting zones. The league debuted in 2017 and has since gained popularity, with live broadcasts, partnerships, and community initiatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz |
| Debuted | 2017 |
| Format | 3-on-3 basketball league |
| Teams | 12 |
| Rosters | Former NBA players and international players |
| Rules | Deviations from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball as administered by FIBA |
| First President and Commissioner | Roger Mason Jr. |
| First sponsor | Adidas |
| First streaming partner | Kick streamer LosPollosTV |
| First female head coach in a professional men's sports league | Nancy Lieberman |
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What You'll Learn
Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz founded Big3
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. The BIG3 league debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
Ice Cube and Kwatinetz announced their new 3-on-3 basketball league at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York City on January 11, 2017. The first BIG3 draft was held on April 30, 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 first championship trophy that year.
The BIG3 league has a unique set of rules that differ from the official FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 basketball rules. For example, the shot clock in BIG3 is 14 seconds, compared to 12 seconds in FIBA 3x3. Additionally, the BIG3 features four-point shooting zones beyond the arc, marked by a coloured circle, which is not present in FIBA 3x3. The games are decided when one team scores at least 50 points and has a two-point advantage.
BIG3 has gained popularity and attracted well-known players and coaches, including former NBA players like Baron Davis, Corey Maggette, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. The league has also made efforts to market itself as a legitimate sport, partnering with Adidas and broadcasting games live on FOX, FS1, and Facebook.
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Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league
BIG3 (stylized in all caps) 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, featuring both former NBA players and international players. BIG3 debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason. The games are played on a half-court, like FIBA's 3x3 format, but with some rule variations. The shot clock runs for 14 seconds, faster than the FIBA 3x3's 12 seconds, creating a quicker-paced game.
The scoring system in BIG3 largely follows NBA rules, with standard two-point and three-point shots, the three-point line being the same distance as in the NBA. However, BIG3 introduces four-point shooting zones, marked by a coloured circle, which adds an exciting element to the game. Games are decided when a team reaches 50 points and has a two-point lead. Another unique rule is that when a team achieves "point game," meaning one more basket will win the game, the opposing team is granted a "foul to give."
BIG3 has partnered with various broadcasters to air its games, including CBS, DAZN, Vyre Network, and its own Big 3 YouTube channel. In 2024, BIG3 launched Big3tv to stream all its games on its website internationally and on non-televised games in the US. The league also has a partnership with Kick streamer LosPollosTV, which has exclusive rights to livestream BIG3 basketball games.
BIG3 has made significant strides in its efforts to market the league as a legitimate sport and not just a novelty. One way they have done this is by partnering with Adidas, which adds legitimacy and provides stylish uniforms. The league has also made history by appointing Nancy Lieberman as the head coach of Power, making her the first female head coach in a professional men's sports league.
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Big3 games deviate from official FIBA rules
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. The BIG3 rules deviate from the official rules of 3-on-3 basketball, which are administered by FIBA, the international governing body of basketball.
The BIG3 debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason. In 2020, the league announced a new basketball variant called "Fireball3", which forms the core of the BIG3 ruleset. The rules of Fireball3 differ from those of FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games (branded as 3x3).
One key difference is the presence of three "four-point zones" in Fireball3. These zones are located on a circle 30 feet (9.1 m) from the basket, with one on the midline of the court and the other two 40 degrees away. To score four points, a player's foot must be touching any part of this circle. This is a unique feature of Fireball3, as 3x3 uses the FIBA arc for two-point shots, with all other shots worth 1 point.
Another difference lies in the bonus free throw rules. In Fireball3, after the fifth team foul in each half, the opponents are awarded two one-point free throws and possession of the ball. In contrast, 3x3 follows standard FIBA rules, where teams only enter the bonus on the 7th team foul, receiving two free throws but not possession. It is not until the 10th team foul that the non-fouling team is awarded two free throws and possession in 3x3.
Furthermore, the shot clock duration in Fireball3 is 14 seconds, compared to 12 seconds in 3x3. This variation can significantly impact game strategy and pace, with a longer shot clock allowing for more intricate offensive plays.
The differences between the BIG3/Fireball3 and FIBA/3x3 rulesets have led to discussions about the eligibility of BIG3 players to compete in the Olympics. Ice Cube, a co-founder of the BIG3, has criticised FIBA for not recognising BIG3 players' eligibility, describing their rules as "archaic". He has advocated for the inclusion of BIG3 players in Olympic competitions, arguing that the league supports the worldwide growth of professional basketball.
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The league includes former NBA players and international players
The 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3, was 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 league debuted in 2017 and takes place during the NBA offseason.
Some of the former NBA players who have joined the BIG3 league include Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Chris "Birdman" Andersen, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Baron Davis, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, is also part of the BIG3. In addition, the league has seen coaches like Nancy Lieberman, who became the first female head coach in a professional men's sports league, and Gary Payton, a Basketball Hall of Famer.
The BIG3 rules differ from the official FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 rules. While the game is played on a half-court, similar to FIBA's 3x3 format, there are deviations. The shot clock in BIG3 is 14 seconds, compared to 12 seconds in FIBA 3x3. Additionally, BIG3 introduces four-point shooting zones beyond the arc, marked by a coloured circle. These rules create a faster-paced game than college or NBA basketball.
The BIG3 has gained popularity and expanded its reach over the years. In 2022, the league partnered with CBS for 28 hours of coverage in the US, while also broadcasting 29 hours internationally through various platforms. The league has also ventured into streaming, launching Big3tv in 2023 to stream all its games on its website and non-televised games in the US.
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Big3 games are aired on TV and streamed online
BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league debuted in 2017 and features 12 teams, including former NBA players and international players. The BIG3 games are aired live on TV and streamed online on various platforms.
For the 2022 season, BIG3 remained with broadcast partner CBS, which aired 28 hours of coverage in the US. Simultaneously, DAZN, Vyre Network, and the BIG3 YouTube channel broadcast 29 hours in the US and provided all coverage internationally. In 2023, BIG3 launched its own streaming service, BIG3TV, to stream all its games on its website internationally and all games not televised by CBS in the United States.
BIG3 also partnered with streaming platforms like LosPollosTV, Kick, and top streamers such as Jesser, Nick Mercs, and Summit1G to distribute select live games. These partnerships provide fans with diverse options to watch the games, catering to traditional TV viewers and those who prefer online streaming.
For the 2024 season, BIG3 announced that non-CBS games would be streamed on their official X account in the United States. This provides fans with an additional platform to access and enjoy the games. The BIG3 website, BIG3.com, also streams select games, offering fans a direct way to watch the competitions online.
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Frequently asked questions
Big3 basketball was founded by hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz.
Big3 basketball was announced on January 11, 2017, at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York City.
Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league consisting of 12 teams, including former NBA players and international players.
Big3 games are played on a half-court with a faster pace due to a 14-second shot clock. The league also features unique four-point shooting zones and does not use a jump ball to start the game.
Big3 games are broadcast on television channels such as CBS, Fox, and FS1, as well as online streaming platforms like YouTube and Facebook. The league has also launched its own streaming service, Big3tv, to stream all its games internationally.
