Ice Cube's "Big 3" Getting More Legitimacy with Offseason Signings

As Ice Cube's Big 3 enters its eighth season this summer, the league will be highlighted by two big new names. Thursday, it was announced the one time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker will play in the league, while Dwight Howard annouced last week that he is joining the league for 2025.

Both names enhance the league's profile, which in itself has proved to be a success now going on season number eight. The league began in 2017, and in 2025 will debut a new look of sorts as there will for the first time be city-based teams. In its first eight seasons, the league had unique team names that were not location specific and would congregate weekly for the games. This season, with their new city-based model, teams will represent Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and the DMV.

Past teams Power, Triplets, Ball Hogs, and Trilogy will return representing cities, with the Dallas Power, Chicago Triplets, Boston Ball Hogs, and DMV Trilogy. The other four teams are the LA Riot, Houston Rig Hands, Detroit Amplifiers, and Miami 305. Dwight Howard, part of the 2025 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, will suit up for the Riot. Gary Payton will return to coach the Boston Ball Hogs, while George Gervin, who formerly coached Ghost Ballers, will lead the Detroit Amplifiers out of his home city. Nancy Lieberman will continue coaching the Power, and Michael Cooper, formerly the coach of 3s Company, will lead Miami 305. Stephen Jackson, a winner with Trilogy in the Big 3's first season, will coach DMV Trilogy, while Nick Young will coach the LA Riot. Houston Rockets' legend Calvin Murphy will be the head man for the Houston Rig Hands.

The 2025 Big 3 Draft takes place on May 15, with the season beginning on June 14 at All State Arena in Rosemont, Ill., outside of Chicago.

Big 3 games are played to 50, with the first team to 25 ending the half. It delivers on in-game entertainment, and is a cool way for basketball fans to see former NBA players still compete in a 3-on-3, half-court setting that takes viewers back to playing the game as young kids in 3-on-3 tournaments. It has a tournament feel and is very competitive.