The BIG3 basketball league is a professional 3-on-3 basketball league that was founded by hip hop legend and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz in January 2017. The league launched its inaugural season in June 2017. Since then, it has grown into one of the premier 3-on-3 basketball leagues in the world.
Quick Answer
There are currently 12 teams in the BIG3 basketball league as of the 2022 season.
League Overview
The BIG3 league plays under standard 3-on-3 rules on a half court, with some slight variations. Games are played to 50 points with halftime occurring when the first team reaches 25 points. There is a 14-second shot clock and the 3-point line is the same distance used by FIBA (22 feet, 1.75 inches).
One unique aspect of the BIG3 is that there are no team fouls. All fouls result in one free throw worth a single point, with shooting fouls requiring the fouled player to shoot from the free throw line. The exception is during the final 60 seconds of a game, when all fouls result in two free throws.
The league consists of 12 teams divided into three divisions of four teams each. The regular season runs through the summer months and includes a 10 week schedule. The top three teams from each division, along with two wild card teams, qualify for the playoffs.
Games are played in half court 3-on-3 settings with rosters of five players each. This allows for fast paced, high scoring action as players have more room to operate than a traditional 5-on-5 game. It also requires players to be in excellent physical condition as they cover the entire court.
Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz lined up an impressive list of former NBA stars to fill out the rosters for the inaugural BIG3 season. Some of the former pros who suited up included Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Jermaine O’Neal, Kenyon Martin, Stephen Jackson, and Rashard Lewis among others.
The league has continued to attract former NBA talent looking to continue competing professionally. Recent seasons have seen players like Joe Johnson, Greg Oden, Josh Smith, Nate Robinson, and Amar’e Stoudemire join BIG3 rosters.
Teams
Here is a look at the 12 teams competing in the BIG3 basketball league for the 2022 season:
| Team | Coach |
|---|---|
| 3’s Company | Stephen Jackson |
| 3 Headed Monsters | Gary Payton |
| Aliens | Nate Robinson |
| Ball Hogs | Jannero Pargo |
| Bivouac | Josh Powell |
| Enemies | Gilbert Arenas |
| Ghost Ballers | Mike Bibby |
| Killer 3’s | Charles Oakley |
| Power | Cuttino Mobley |
| Triplets | Joe Johnson |
| Trilogy | Kenyon Martin |
| Tri-State | Jermaine O’Neal |
As you can see, there are 12 teams set to compete in the BIG3’s 2022 season. Several former NBA stars and veterans serve as player-coaches for their respective squads.
2022 Season Details
The 2022 BIG3 regular season will kick off on June 18 and run through August 27. The full 10 week schedule features games every Saturday.
Cities on the schedule for this summer include:
- Chicago, Illinois
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Toronto, Ontario
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Brooklyn, New York
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Los Angeles, California
The league will travel to a different city around North America each week throughout the 10 week regular season. This gives fans in various markets a chance to experience the fast paced BIG3 action live.
The playoffs will take place on September 3 in New Orleans. The championship game known as The BIG3 Championship will be contested later that same day.
FS1 and CBS both have broadcasting rights to air BIG3 games live throughout the season. This gives the league national television exposure and allows 3-on-3 basketball fans to tune in no matter where they live.
Draft Recap
The 2022 BIG3 draft took place on May 5. Here were some of the notable selections:
- Triplets selected Joe Johnson 1st overall
- Aliens picked Mario Chalmers 2nd
- Ball Hogs took Will Bynum 3rd
- Killer 3s selected Craig Smith 4th
- Tri-State picked Jason Richardson 5th
- 3 Headed Monsters selected Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 6th
Those picks show the excellent talent pool the BIG3 has available. Several former NBA first round selections and All-Stars remain more than capable of competing at a high level in the 3-on-3 format.
League History & Growth
The BIG3 basketball league launched in 2017 with eight teams competing that first season. The league was created by Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube as a means to bring high level professional 3-on-3 basketball to the masses.
Allen Iverson was the biggest star in that initial group of players. He served as a player-coach for 3’s Company during the first BIG3 season. Other recognizable names from the inaugural season included Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Jermaine O’Neal, Rashard Lewis, Stephen Jackson, and Kenyon Martin.
Trilogy defeated 3 Headed Monsters in the first ever BIG3 Championship 51-46. The league was an immediate success and showed there was an appetite for 3-on-3 played at the highest level.
For the second BIG3 season in 2018, the league expanded from 8 to 10 teams. That year Power, coached by Nancy Lieberman, defeated 3’s Company in the title game.
In 2019 the league kept the same 10 team format. Triplets earned their first championship led by former NBA stars Joe Johnson, Al Jefferson, and Jannero Pargo.
For the 2020 season, two additional expansion teams joined to bring the total to 12 squads. This allowed for more players to join while growing the league’s footprint.
Trilogy picked up their second championship in 2020, once again defeating 3 Headed Monsters in the final. Former NBA sharpshooter Jason Richardson earned MVP honors.
Last season in 2021, Trilogy defeated 3’s Company in the title game to capture their third championship. The full 12 team league structure remains in place for the upcoming 2022 season.
The BIG3 has seen excellent growth since launching in 2017. There is now a solid infrastructure in place that has allowed 3-on-3 professional basketball to blossom. The league has become a summer destination for basketball fans thanks to its exciting style of play and roster of former NBA stars.
Rule Differences From NBA
While the BIG3 plays standard 3-on-3 rules for the most part, there are some specific rule differences compared to a traditional NBA game:
- Games are played on a half court instead of full court
- First team to 50 points wins
- Halftime at 25 points
- 14 second shot clock
- All field goals are worth 1 point
- 3 pointers are worth 2 points
- No team fouls. All fouls result in 1 free throw
- Victories earn 3 points in standings, OT losses 2 points, losses 1 point
The shorter 14 second shot clock combined with the first to 50 points format leads to fast paced games. The absence of team fouls frequently puts players in one-on-one showdowns since fouls result in just a single free throw.
These variations from traditional basketball work well for the 3-on-3 format. The rules are tailored to maximize the intensity, pace and excitement for players and fans alike.
Founding & Vision
The BIG3 basketball league was founded in January 2017 by hip hop icon Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. Their vision was to create a professional 3-on-3 basketball league that would allow fans to see some of their favorite players team up in exciting new ways.
Ice Cube is an legendary rapper, actor and producer who also happens to be a huge sports fan. He had a desire to see professional 3-on-3 basketball get its proper due. By founding the BIG3, Ice Cube helped 3-on-3 hoops grow exponentially in popularity and visibility.
Jeff Kwatinetz is an experienced entertainment executive who recognized the potential for 3-on-3 basketball to resonate in today’s world. By partnering with Ice Cube, his bold vision became a reality with the launch of the BIG3.
The two wisely focused on hiringquality former NBA players for the rosters. Landing stars like Allen Iverson gave the league immediate credibility. This provided a product that fans could take seriously right from the start.
The founding duo also developed unique rules that maximize the excitement of halfcourt 3-on-3 games. The 14 second shot clock and first to 50 format keep energy high. Allowing hand checking and physical defense also capture the old school essence many fans love.
Thanks to the forward thinking vision of Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, the foundation for sustainable success was laid from day one. Their blueprint has allowed the BIG3 to see remarkable growth in just a few short years of existence.
Vision for Future
Ice Cube has stated that he envisions the BIG3 growing to 24 teams. This expansion would be spread across U.S. and international markets. He also sees major global brands becoming sponsors.
One goal is to establish a successful minor league system for the BIG3. This developmental league could identify future stars while serving as a stepping stone.
There are also hopes of further integrating basketball legends into the framework. Cube would like coaches and general managers participating beyond just the players.
Plans are in place to add a 4-point circle for an added wrinkle. Other experimental rule changes could arise as well in the coming years.
These founding visions reveal ambitious yet achievable growth plans. For now the focus remains on building a stable base. But the potential exists for the BIG3 to become a truly major basketball enterprise down the road.
Global Growth of 3-on-3 Basketball
The rise in popularity of the BIG3 basketball league mirrors the global growth of 3-on-3 basketball as a whole. The fast paced, exciting play style has led to increased participation worldwide.
In 2017, 3-on-3 basketball was added as an Olympic event starting in 2020. This is a testament to how much the game has grown across the globe. International basketball federations saw its potential as a competitive event.
FIBA even launched a standalone 3×3 World Tour featuring professional teams from across the globe. This complements the 3-on-3 World Cup and other FIBA sanctioned events.
The widespread embrace of 3-on-3 is linked to the urban roots of basketball. Half court pickup games are where many players first fall in love with the game. The BIG3 has bottled up that competitive and communal atmosphere in an accessible way.
Recreational players around the world can now envision competing professionally in 3-on-3. The games require less space and equipment than traditional 5-on-5 basketball. This allows more opportunity to develop skills no matter your environment.
There is also great potential for growth of women’s 3-on-3 basketball. The formation of a BIG3 women’s league could provide even more inspiration globally.
As the BIG3 continues increasing prominence in America, expect parallel growth internationally as well. Fans across the world can appreciate the competitive yet inclusive nature of 3-on-3 hoops.
Conclusion
The BIG3 basketball league has quickly established itself as a highly entertaining product showcasing professional 3-on-3 basketball. What started as an idea from Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz is now a stable league with staying power.
The 12 team format encourages fierce competition from the former NBA stars who populate the rosters. Special rules maximize the excitement factor for a fun viewing experience.
Regional fans are drawn to seeing games played in their cities during the summer tour. The league continues to identify ways to enhance the model each year.
Growth of the BIG3 mirrors the global embrace of 3-on-3 hoops. There appears no limit to how popular half court basketball can ultimately become worldwide.
For now fans can enjoy the intense rivalry and camaraderie that develops each BIG3 season. Ice Cube’s bold vision has come to fruition with professional 3-on-3 basketball earning legitimacy through the success of his league. The future remains bright for additional growth of the BIG3 as it cements itself as a staple of summertime sporting entertainment.