Basketball fans across the globe have been preparing for the BIG3’s biggest season yet, with its first game taking place on June 22nd in Atlanta. This summer 2019, Ice Cube and Jeff Kawtinetz’s 3-on-3 basketball league will be delivering the most it ever has to fans, with games to feature even more of the best basketball players of all time.
Keep reading to learn all there is to know about the BIG3 basketball league in its third season. Below are the subjects that will be covered throughout:
With a successful initial two seasons in 2017 and 2018, the BIG3 basketball league is only getting bigger – welcoming several new and exciting changes this 2019. Let’s get into it.
This year, the BIG3 will consist of 12 teams and 18 cities – up from 8 teams and 10 cities the two previous seasons. The four new teams to be joining the league are the Aliens, Bivouac, Enemies, and Triplets. Six games will be played at every location on weekends, and international players will now also be eligible to play in the league.
NBA legends that will be newly competing in this season’s fierce games include Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jason Terry, Al Jefferson, Gilbert Arenas, Shannon Brown, Kendrick Perkins, Lamar Odom, Carlos Arroyo, Dusan Bulut, Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers. Teams will also be coached by some of the most legendary names in NBA history, including Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, Nancy Lieberman, Gary Payton, Rick Barry, Lisa Leslie, and George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin.
Other retired NBA players making a return to the BIG3 games for another season include Amar’e Stoudemire, Drew Gooden, Nate Robinson, Stephen Jackson, Rashard Lewis, Metta World Peace, Carlos Boozer, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen, Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Jermaine O’Neal, Brian Scalabrine and many others.
This BIG3 season has also signed on CBS/CBS Sports as its new broadcast partner. CBS will broadcast more than 20 hours of live coverage every Saturday and Sunday throughout the 11-week summer season, with CBS Sports Network covering over 25 hours. The live crowning of the BIG3 Season 3 champion will take place Sunday, September 1st.
Joining BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube and Kwatinetz, the league will continue to be directed by Chairman Amy Trask and Commissioner Clyde Drexler.
As part of the BIG3’s 2019 Season Roster, check out the four new teams that will be making their debut this summer:
Triplets: The Triplets is the first team in the 2019 BIG3 Expansion. Lisa Leslie, who is a Naismith Hall of Famer, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time WNBA MVP and two-time WNBA Champion, leads as the team’s head coach – with new league additions Joe Johnson as captain and Al Jefferson as co-captain, and former NBA players Chris Johnson, Sergerio Gipson, and Alan Anderson also joining on.
Aliens: The Aliens is the second team announced in the 2019 BIG3 Expansion, with coach Nate “Tiny” Archibald and captain Andre Owens leading the team. Shannon Brown and Kendrick Perkins are newly signed on as co-captains, with players Greg Oden, Robert Vaden and BIG3 newcomer Brandon Rush also competing for the Aliens.
Bivouac: As the third team in the 2019 BIG3 Expansion, Reggie Theus leads as head coach along with BIG3 fresh-face captain Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow and Will Bynum as co-captains, as well as Shawne Williams, C.J. Leslie, Dion Glover joined on as players.
Enemies: The fourth and final team of the 2019 BIG3 Expansion; the Enemies will be led by coach Rick Mahorn, with new league star Gilbert Arenas as captain, and another league newcomer: Lamar Odom as co-captain joined by co-captain Perry Jones. Number one pick Royce White, will also play for the team alongside Craig Smith and Frank Robinson.
Below are the existing BIG3 teams signed on to return for the league’s largest season yet:
3 Headed Monsters: The 3 Headed Monsters will be led this year by coach Gary Payton with Rashard Lewis as captain, joined by co-captains Reggie Evans and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, as well as players Larry Sanders, Tre Simmons and new addition Mario Chalmers.
3's Company: Company will be led by coach Michael Cooper this season with DerMarr Johnson taking over as captain, and Baron Davis and Drew Gooden as co-captains. Dijon Thompson, Andre Emmett and Jason Maxiell will also play for the team.
Ball Hogs: NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry will coach the Ball Hogs again this season with captain Brian Scalabrine, co-captains Josh Childress and DeShawn Stevenson, and players Will McDonald, Jermaine Taylor and new BIG3-leaguer Dusan Bulut.
Ghost Ballers: Legend George “The Iceman” Gervin will coach the Ghost Ballers alongside captain Mike Bibby, co-captain Ricky Davis and players Alex Scales, Jamario Moon, Mike Taylor.
Killer 3s: Ranked as one of the best rebounders, Charles Oakley leads the Killer 3s as head coach with co-captains Franklin Session, Metta World Peace and Stephen Jackson, with Josh Powell, Donte Greene and C.J. Watson also signed on to play.
Power: After winning the 2018 BIG3 Championship, Power will be led once again by coach and pioneer in women’s basketball Nancy Lieberman, with Corey Maggette as captain, Cuttino Mobley and Glen Davis as co-captains, and Ryan Gomes, Quentin Richardson and Chris Andersen as players.
Tri-State: Coach Julius “Dr. J” Erving will be leading Tri-State alongside captain Jermaine O’Neal and co-captains Amar’e Stoudemire and Nate Robinson, who will be joined by players Yakhouba Diawara, Jason Richardson and fan-favorite Bonzi Wells.
Trilogy: Coach Kenyon Martin and new league addition captain Jason Terry will lead Trilogy with co-captains David Hawkins and James White, as well as players Sam Young, Patrick O’Brant and another fresh BIG3 player, Carlos Arroyo.
Best known as the Junk Yard Dog or JYD (a nickname given by Rick Mahorn for his “hard work” and “hustle”), former NBA player and revered fan-favorite Jerome Williams has had quite a considerable involvement in the BIG3 franchise.
For one, Williams was one of the top rebounders for Power in the BIG3 league in 2017. In eight games, he averaged 6.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game; keeping in mind that BIG3 games finish after a team has reached the 50-point mark.
Sharing in Ice Cube’s vision of inspiring more young people to play ball, JYD became President of the YOUNG3 in 2018 – a BIG3 program rolled out by Ice Cube, Adidas, and Legends Shooting For Peace. The YOUNG3 aims to advance 3-on-3 basketball in local communities, while creating more opportunities for more children to enrich their lives with the beloved sport. The program focuses on coaching youth basketball; incorporating the BIG3 League’s partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs through the USA hosting 3-on-3 tournaments for kids.
Jerome ”Junk Yard Dog” Williams continues to advocate for the BIG3 league and YOUNG3 initiative, and has even assured fans in 2018 not to rule out the possibility of him making a return to the courts.
“Hey listen, I’m always ready. I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready,” Williams had told Elite Sports NY. “And I can’t wait to be barking and getting my dog pound riled up in one of these cities, but I’m just standing on the sidelines waiting.”
A bigger, badder BIG3 basketball season begins this summer – and it’s no question as to whether fans are even more pumped for the season three expansion.
With an extended lineup of players and NBA legends, 6 new cities and 4 new teams, as well as a shiny new broadcasting deal – the BIG3’s third season is certainly one that true basketball fans, especially of a younger generation, won’t want to miss.
The real question is: Are you ready?
For the latest BIG3 news and updates, check BIG3.com and follow BIG3 on Twitter and Instagram @thebig3, and on Facebook @thebig3basketball.
“Hey listen, I’m always ready. I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready,” Williams had told Elite Sports NY. “And I can’t wait to be barking and getting my dog pound riled up in one of these cities, but I’m just standing on the sidelines waiting.”
Lamar Odom, after being on the brink of death, will make his return to the game of basketball with the Enemies in Season 3 of the BIG3.
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This former NBA legend will be leading the enemies after winning the first BIG3 Championship back in Season 1
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This season, the BIG3 is excited to have these four Top 50 NBA players coaching various teams
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This season, the BIG3 welcomes international players and embraces both the women and men of basketball – the league has also put a necessary focus on mental health awareness, as well as CBD acceptance with their new cbdMD partnership
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