Ice Cube says he wants to grow the BIG3 into a global summer 3-on-3 basketball league by attracting significant capital and expanding beyond the U.S., while exploring partnerships such as with the NBA and opportunities around the 2028 Olympics. Since co-founding the league with Jeff Kwatinetz, BIG3 has boosted its profile by signing retired NBA players and notable coaches and hiring Clyde Drexler as lead commissioner, signaling commercial momentum and broader market ambition.
Share Post Email Copy League Ice Cube Talks BIG3 Expansion Hopes, NBA Partnership And 2028 Olympics By Mark Medina - Forbes Contributor. NBA reporter August 9, 2026 He sat in a private room reflecting on his success as a hip-hop mogul, a movie star and the BIG3 co-founder. Considering Ice Cube’s life-long ambitions, it seemed expected he would maintain a bold vision regarding his summer 3-on-3 basketball league. “With the right capital injected in the right areas, we can do a lot more and be one of the biggest leagues in the world,” Ice Cube told me. “We’re not just looking at the U.S. We’re looking worldwide.” About nine years after co-founding the BIG3 with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, Ice Cube has already witnessed the BIG3 extending its reach. Each year, BIG3 has increased its representation. They have retired NBA stars (Dwight Howard) and former NBA role players ( Mario Chalmers , Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson, Montrezl Harrell, Jordan Crawford, Greg Monroe, Corey Brewer). They have former NBA/WNBA luminaries as their coaches (Julius Erving, Michael Cooper , Nancy Lieberman, Rick Mahorn , George Gervin, Gary Payton, Stephen Jackson, Nick Young ). They have a former NBA star as its lead commissioner (Clyde Drexler). Read the full article on Forbes.com
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: big3.com
BIG3, Jeff Kwatinetz, Mario Chalmers, Lance Stephenson, Corey Brewer, Julius Erving, Michael Cooper, George Gervin, Gary Payton, Stephen Jackson, Nick Young
BIG3: BIG3 is a summer 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by Ice Cube that is expanding its reach and representation of retired NBA stars and former NBA/WNBA luminaries.
Jeff Kwatinetz: Jeff Kwatinetz is identified as an entertainment executive and co-founder of the BIG3 league.
Mario Chalmers: Mario Chalmers is listed as a former NBA role player who has played in the BIG3 league.
Lance Stephenson: Lance Stephenson is identified as a former NBA role player who has participated in the BIG3 league.
Corey Brewer: Corey Brewer is named as a former NBA role player who has played in the BIG3 league.
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