Ice Cube’s BIG3 league is really beginning to come together. And now, the league has released their official schedule and coach pairings for the upcoming season. Some of the best former players imaginable are involved. A few of the big names include Charles Oakley, Allen Iverson, Latrell Sprewell, and many more.
In fact, there are over 70 players available to be drafted for the leagues 24 remaining roster spots. When the league holds their draft and completes their rosters, the first game will be on June 25th at the Barclays center.
- * June 25: Barclays Center | Brooklyn, New York
- * July 2: Spectrum Center | Charlotte, North Carolina
- * July 9: BOK Center | Tulsa, Oklahoma
- * July 16: Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- * July 23: Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, Tennessee
- * July 30: American Airlines Center | Dallas, Texas
- * August 6: Rupp Arena | Lexington, Kentucky
- * August 13: Staples Center | Los Angeles, California
- * August 20: Key Arena | Seattle, Washington (Playoffs)
- * August 26: T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada (Championship Finals)
The league’s eight teams will play over the span of those 10 weeks and be in a slew of great venues. Those eight teams, their captains, coaches, and player-coaches were also all announced. The team names are predictably heavy on “3” puns and even heavier on big names.
- * 3’s Company: Captains Player/Coach Allen Iverson and DerMarr Johnson
- * Three-Headed Monsters: Captains Rashard Lewis and Jason Williams, Coach Gary Payton
- * Killer 3s: Captains Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson, Player/Coach Charles Oakley
- * Ghost Ballers: Captains Mike Bibby and Ricky Davis, Coach George Gervin
- * Trilogy: Captains Kenyon Martin and Al Harrington, Coach Rick Mahorn
- * Tri-State: Captains Jermaine O’Neal and Bonzi Wells, Coach Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving
- * Power: Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley, Coach Clyde Drexler
- * Ball Hogs: Brian Scalabrine, PLAYER X, Coach Rick Barry
This league is going to be insanely fun to watch. Seeing former great NBA players again in a controlled, open environment, which will likely have a low amount of defense, will be great for die-hard NBA fans. If this BIG3 league remains successful it could mean the start of true, year-round basketball. What a time to be alive.
