Fans Embrace BIG3’s First Visit to Toronto

The competition is high at the BIG3 in Toronto. /Kamran Saeed

The 3-on-3 professional basketball league BIG3 made its international debut at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto this past Friday before a nostalgic crowd of 9,240. Fans took selfies with actor and comedian Michael Rapaport, cheered as Metta World Peace received a technical foul and a delay of game warning, all while taking the opportunity to dust off old jerseys of the NBA’s past to make for standard attire for the night. For over four hours, fans indulged their appetite in the league co-founded by Ice Cube for a blend of entertainment, competitive basketball, and a chance to re-live their favorite basketball memories once again.

BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube sits court side during pre-game activities./Trung Ho
Michael Rapaport, in his second season as FOX’s BIG3 sideline reporter, takes selfies with a lineup of fans during before the start of the first game./Trung Ho
Qyntel Woods tries to block Jermaine Taylor’s lay-up attempt early in the first matchup of the evening between 3 Headed Monsters and Ball Hogs./Trung Ho
A fan buying BIG3 merchandise in the Scotiabank Arena concourse during the BIG3’s first-ever appearance to Toronto./Trung Ho
A cheerleader for the Ball Hogs dances during a break in play./Trung Ho
Jamario Moon of 3 Headed Monsters greets a fan following his team’s 51-45 win over Ball Hogs. 3 Headed Monsters improve to a league-best 6-0 on the season.
Qyntel Woods, Gary Payton, and Reggie Evans of 3 Headed Monsters during a post-game press conference. Evans, a former Toronto Raptor, told reporters that he was excited to be back for another chance to play on the Scotiabank Arena court, “My two years here I was hurt a lot,” Evans said, “so I kind of felt like I owed the fans.”/Trung Ho
Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who made a total of ten three-pointers in his NBA career, makes his second long-range field goal of the game. “You know what, I shoot it when I’m open,” Davis said when asked if he has more fun shooting three-pointers. “I don’t want to fall in love.”/Trung Ho
A crowd favorite, Metta World-Peace received a technical during Friday’s matchup against Power. When Killer 3s head coach Charles Oakley tried to substitute Mike James into the game for World Peace, he refused to come out resulting in a delay of game warning./Trung Ho
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was in attendance for the BIG3’s international debut. Also among the crowd included Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia, and Mike Smith from Trailer Park Boys./Trung Ho
Chris “Birdman” Andersen takes a jump shot during Power’s matchup against Killer 3s. The former NBA Champion went on to make a game-winning dunk leading Power to a 5-1 record./Trung Ho

Story by Trung Ho.

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