The Big3 league was co-founded by Ice Cube and is managed and operated by the players. Stars like Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, Charles Oakley and more will be touring the country for 10 weeks. The 3-on-3 halfcourt league is aiming to provide a unique experience that includes players interacting with fans.Tickets are available for each of the 10 venues, but thanks to Rashard Lewis, children under 13 can attend free when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket.
MORE: Jason Williams suffers knee injury in Big3 debut
Ice Cube, co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz and president and commissioner Roger Mason Jr. have managed to develop unique rules.
The first team to reach 60 points wins, but the team must win by two points. All personal fouls are recorded as team fouls, meaning no foul-outs.
Two-point and 3-point shots still apply, but a 4-point shot has been added. Three circles will be added beyond the 3-point line; a player’s feet must be touching one of the circles for him to be credited with a 4-pointer.
MORE: Iverson answers Bleacher Report’s call for sports-culture crossover star
In addition, a shooting foul on a missed shot will result in one free throw, and the location of the foul shot will vary. If a player is fouled on a 2-point attempt, he will shoot from the free-throw line. If a player is fouled from beyond the arc, he will shoot from the top of the 3-point line. Same with a 4-point attempt.
Instant replay applies in the new league, too.
Not only does the league boast some of the game’s greatest players of all time, but The Big3 made sure it got the coverage it wanted. Fox Sports 1 will have Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson and Michael Rapaport doing weekly game broadcasts.
Team rosters and the full schedule are listed below; the season will wrap up with the playoffs in Week 9 and the Championship Finals in Week 10.
MORE: Rashad McCants: Olympics ‘part of rollout plan’ for Big3 league
The Big3 rosters
Ghost Ballers Captain: Mike Bibby Co-captain: Ricky Davis Mo Evans Marcus Banks Ivan Johnson Coach: George Gervin Reserve: Joe Smith
3 Headed Monsters Captain: Rashard Lewis Co-captain: Jason Williams* Kwame Brown Eddie Basden Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Coach: Gary Payton Reserve: Hakim Warrick
Tri-State
Captain: Jermaine O’Neal Co-captain: Bonzi Wells Xavier Silas Lee Nailon Mike James Coach: Julius “Dr. J” Erving Reserve: Lou Amundson
Power
Captain: Corey Maggette Co-captain: Cuttino Mobley Jerome Williams Deshawn Stevenson Moochie Norris Coach: Clyde Drexler Reserve: Paul McPherson
3’s Company
Captain: Allen Iverson Co-captain: DerMarr Johnson Andre Owens Mike Sweetney Ruben Patterson Al Thornton Player-coach: Allen Iverson Reserve: David Hawkins
Ball Hogs
Captain: Brian Scalabrine Co-captain: Josh Childress Derrick Byars Rasual Butler Dominic McGuire Coach: Rick Barry Reserve: Desmon Farmer
Killer 3’s
Captain: Chauncey Billups Co-captain: Stephen Jackson Reggie Evans Larry Hughes Brian Cook Player-coach: Charles Oakley Reserve: Eddie Robinson
Trilogy
Caption: Kenyon Martin Co-captain: Al Harrington Rashad McCants James White Dion Glover Coach: Rick Mahorn Reserve: Jannero Pargo
*Injured
The Big3 schedule
June 25: Barclays Center, New York
GAME 1: Ghost Ballers vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 2: Tri-State vs. Power GAME 3: 3’s Company vs. Ball Hogs GAME 4: Killer 3’s vs. Trilogy
July 2: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C. GAME 1: Ball Hogs vs. Tri-State GAME 2: Trilogy vs. 3 Headed Monster GAME 3: Power vs. Killer 3s GAME 4: 3’s Company vs. Ghost Ballers
July 9: BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.
GAME 1: Power vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 2: Killer 3s vs. Tri- State GAME 3: Ball Hogs vs. Ghost Ballers GAME 4: Trilogy vs. 3’s Company
July 16: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia GAME 1: Ghost Ballers vs. Power GAME 2: Trilogy vs. Ball Hogs GAME 3: Killer 3s vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 4: 3’s Company vs. Tri-State
July 23: UIC Pavilion, Chicago
GAME 1: Ball Hogs vs. Power GAME 2: 3’s Company vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 3: Tri-State vs. Trilogy GAME 4: Killer 3s vs. Ghost Ballers
July 30: American Airlines Center, Dallas
GAME 1: Killer 3s vs. Ball Hogs GAME 2: 3’s Company vs. Power GAME 3: Trilogy vs. Ghost Ballers GAME 4: Tri-State vs. 3 Headed Monsters
Aug. 6: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
GAME 1: Tri-State vs. Ghost Ballers GAME 2: Trilogy vs. Power GAME 3: Ball Hogs vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 4: Killer 3s vs. 3’s Company
Aug. 13: Staples Center, Los Angeles
GAME 1: Ghost Ballers vs. 3 Headed Monsters GAME 2: Tri- State vs. Power GAME 3: 3’s Company vs. Ball Hogs GAME 4: Killer 3s vs. Trilogy
Aug. 20: Key Arena, Seattle (playoffs)
GAME 1: 1st Place vs. 4th Place GAME 2: 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place GAME 3: 5th Place vs. 6th Place GAME 4: 7th Place vs. 8th Place
Aug. 26: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (Championship Finals)
Championship Finals: Winner of Playoff Game 1 vs. winner of Playoff Game 2 Consolation Finals: Loser of Playoff Game 1 vs. loser of Playoff Game 2
