It has been eight days since the NBA season was brought to a halt after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for Coronavirus. Since then, all sports have stopped activities, and the world has been shaken by the global pandemic that is shutting down countries and closing borders, situations that are far bigger than sports or entertainment.
Ice Cube and The Big 3, though, have plans to quench the thirst of sports fans who don't know what to do with themselves without sports. On Thursday, per Yahoo Sports' Chris B. Haynes, the league announced its plans to launch a 3-on-3 tournament in April, with special stipulations and rules in place due to the Coronavirus. The plans are as follows:
- 16 to 22 players from the league who have tested negative for the virus
- Players will be quarantined in Los Angeles in a residence provided by the league with a basketball court on the property
- Players who break quarantine will have to leave the residence
- Tournament will feature seven rounds, with players switching teams after each round
- Players who lose three games will be eliminated
- Cash prizes will be given to winners
On June 20, the Big 3, as of now, is set to begin their season in Memphis, TN. Ice Cube also announced last week on an interview with 'The Breakfast Club' that the league has a contingency plan, and, as of now, does plan on having games in Memphis and also at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens on June 20. The rest of the scheduled games will take place in Los Angeles (from July 11 to August 15), Cube said, in a contained area (not in an arena). He also said that hopefully all ten weekends won't have to be held in Los Angeles. The playoffs, as of now, are set for Portland, OR at the Moda Center on August 22. The championship location on August 29 is yet to be announced.
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