Tag: BIG3

Caitlin Clark unsurprisingly deflects questions about Ice Cube and the BIG3’s $5 million offer

If you expected Caitlin to say anything else, we hate to break this news to you.

Caitlin Clark’s $5 million offer she received from Ice Cube and the BIG3 earlier this week has the internet buzzing. But Clark is seemingly unbothered by the noise or the actual offer, for that matter. She recently (and unsurprisingly) deflected any questions about it.

On Wednesday, news broke that Ice Cube and the BIG3 offered Caitlin Clark $5 million to play for their league. Fans immediately questioned the offer, given the conflicting season schedule with the WNBA and other factors that Ice Cube might not have considered.

During Friday’s media availability for the NCAA tournament, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder was asked how Clark’s teammates handled the news. Bluder said it wasn’t a discussion point and that the only thing talked about was something Caitlin shared with her — a USA Basketball training camp invite for the Paris Olympics. When also asked about the offer, Caitlin deflected any questions but seemed to echo a similar sentiment.

Per ASAP Sports, here’s what she shared with reporters:

“I found out about the Big 3 thing at the exact time you all did, and my main focus is just on playing basketball. I think that’s the biggest thing. Like you said, USA Basketball is my — that’s your dream. You always want to grow up and be on the Olympic team, but lucky for me, I have the opportunity of possibly not doing that because I want to be at the Final Four playing basketball with my team.”

“But more than anything, my focus is on winning these two games, and that’s exactly how it should be. I honestly don’t talk about those things with really anybody. I have other people that deal with it, and they haven’t said a word to me about it.”

Why Caitlin Clark likely won’t accept Ice Cube’s $5 million offer to play in the BIG3

We respect the hustle, but have some shame, Ice Cube. It’s okay to have shame.

Another day, another company vying for the chance to get in on the phenomenon that is Caitlin Clark. This time, it’s Ice Cube and the BIG3, offering to drop five million reasons why she should come play in their league.

We’ve been saying it, but Caitlin Clark has no shortage of money or offers to give her more moolah in exchange for her talents. Even with going to the WNBA, she’s picking up deals along the way. Now, she’ll have another one to consider. Ice Cube and his BIG3 basketball league want Caitlin to play for them.

According to TMZ, Cube is offering $5 million to Caitlin if she plays eight regular-season games and potentially two playoff games.

After details of the offer leaked, Ice Cube took to X (formerly Twitter) to plead his case and explain why the offer was made.

There’s just one problem: The Big3’s season — which starts in June — runs smack dab in the middle of the WNBA’s season. That means while the offer is substantial, but it’s likely more a gesture to show that the league understands Clark’s value.

Also, the current WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) prioritization clause, which requires players to prioritize the WNBA over other leagues, would complicate Clark’s involvement. This is part of the reason why several players go overseas or play in other leagues during the offseason.

Pair the schedule and CBA restrictions with the major injury risk Caitlin Clark would assume by getting involved with the BIG3, and it’s very easy to see why this is not entirely feasible right now. Things could change in the future, but for the moment, the offer merely brings a lot of positive publicity to the BIG3.

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown playing in the 2023 BIG3 All-Star Game

Brown is the first active NBA player in the history of that league to suit up for BIG3 play, even if it was an exhibition contest.

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All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown participated in the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league’s All-Star game at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday. By doing so, he became the first active NBA player to suit up for BIG3 play, even if it was an exhibition contest.

Brown expressed his excitement about being in the event’s environment and thanked London and the O2 Arena. The former Cal player explained in a sideline interview with Celtics broadcaster Brian Scalabrine that he joined the game to have fun for charity, give back to the community and support the league. It left many fans of the Georgia native hungry to get a glimpse of Brown on the court in the day’s big event.

To get a look at Brown at the 2023 BIG3 All-Star Game for yourself, check out the clip embedded below courtesy of Hoopsfix.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics’ Jaylen Brown on why he suited up to play in the BIG3 2023 All-Star Game

“It’s amazing being in this environment,” said Brown.

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If you are wondering what got All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown to suit up in the All-Star game for the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league in London’s O2 Arena on Saturday evening local time, so was fellow Celtics alum Brian Scalabrine, present to work the sidelines of the big event, and the White Mamba asked Brown as much. “Having some fun for charity, giving back to the community, and supporting,” offered the Cal alum in response.

“I was blown away,” said Ice Cube, standing next to Brown (h/t NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg). “I asked him if he was sure if he wanted to make this move, and he was like, ‘Yo, I want to do this for the game, for the players, and it’s a big move for the league’, so I’m excited — this guy is my hero right now.”

“It’s amazing being in this environment,” said Brown. “Shout out to London, shout out to the O2 (arena), excited to give back to charity, excited to be a part of this, and I appreciate you, Ice Cube.”

“We’re blessed to be in a position where we can give back,” replied the BIG3 co-founder. “Me being able to set the stage for the greatest athletes in the world — just call me the chef.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube thankful for Jaylen Brown playing at league’s All-Star Game

The Georgia native is the first active NBA player to play in the league in any capacity.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has made history in a surprising way by becoming the first current player in the NBA to participate in a game of the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league, even if it is the BIG3 All-Star game, purely an exhibition affair taking place in London this Saturday.

And while the game may not count against any team’s record, BIG3 head honcho O’Shea Jackson, Sr. (better known as Ice Cube) is grateful for the appearance just the same. “Jaylen Brown is my hero,” said Jackson on Twitter via Boston.com’s Khari Thompson. “He’s making a humongous statement by being the first current NBA player to play in a BIG3 game.”

“By suiting up for our All-Star game … he’s doing everything in his power to help the league succeed,” the hip-hop star-turned-league-commissioner added. “Salute. Forever grateful.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics alum Nate Robinson torches fellow Big3 players in Yeezy slides

Nate Rob is evidently the master of the 4-point shot used by the Big3.

Former Boston Celtics point guard Nate Robinson might not be a natural when it comes to boxing, but in the sport he made a name for himself in as a floor general to be respected, he put on a bit of a show at the Big3 3-on-3 league, going to town on some other former NBA players.

The former three-time slam dunk champ even put a little extra into his game by doing it all in a pair of Yeezy slides, which had us wondering how he was keeping those things on his feet while launching 3- and 4-point shots (the Big3 league has 4-point shot circles set up beyond the 3-point arc of the NBA).

Take a look at the clip embedded below to see what Nate Dogg has been up to in the Big3, to see what a 4-point shot looks like, or just because we are all out of NBA basketball to watch until preseason gets here later this fall.

Check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Former UNC standout Ty Lawson joining Big3 league

Former UNC basketball standout guard Ty Lawson is joining the Big3 league after playing overseas for the past few seasons.

Despite being out the the NBA for nearly five years, former UNC basketball standout guard [autotag]Ty Lawson[/autotag] is back playing in the United States.

No, it’s not in the NBA, but he’ll be joining the Big3 League. Announced this week, Lawson will join the ‘Ball Hogs’ for this weeks game.

The 34-year-old has played in China, Greece and Tunisia since his last stint in the NBA.

Prior to his time overseas, Lawson played in 2018 for the Washington Wizards in the playoffs. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.0 assists in 19.2 minutes per game.

In eight NBA seasons, Lawson has career averages of 12.7 points and 6.0 assists per game. He has played with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Sacremento Kings and the Indiana Pacers.

Lawson was a former first-round draft pick by the Denver Nuggets, selected No. 18 overall in 2009.

His best season came in the 2013-14 season when he averaged a career-best 17.6 points per game to go along with 8.8 assists per game. He also averaged a career-high 1.6 steals.

Lawson was part of the NCAA Champion 2009 UNC basketball team. In his three years at North Carolina, he played in 105 games and averaged 13.1 points and 5.8 assists per game.

He was a consensus Second-Team All-American in 2009 to go along with First-Team All-ACC, ACC Player of the Year and the Bob Cousy Award winner.

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Sources close to the league claimed …

Sources close to the league claimed that Kaepernick’s investment would allow the league to continue operating. Multiple players with the BIG3 league had been preparing for a potential shutdown, sources told The Athletic. BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league began in 2017 and consists of 12 teams. After the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league restarted in 2021. Team Trilogy — consisting of former NBA players including Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson, coached by Stephen Jackson — won the league last year.