BIG3’s 2023 Season: London Championship and All-Star Game Ignite Global Stage
- Aug 25, 2023
- 3 min read
The BIG3, the 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, is making history in its sixth season with a groundbreaking championship and All-Star game at London’s O2 Arena today, August 26, 2023. Kicking off June 25 at Chicago’s United Center, the 10-week season has showcased former NBA stars, innovative rules, and electrifying matchups across eight U.S. cities. With Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown headlining the All-Star game and the Enemies facing the Triplets for the title, the BIG3 is taking a massive leap onto the global stage.
2023 Season Highlights
The BIG3 returned to full arena tours this year after two seasons in a bubble due to COVID-19. The season began in Chicago (June 25) and hit Dallas (July 1), New York (July 9), Memphis (July 15), Miami (July 23), Boston (July 30), Charlotte (August 5), and Detroit (August 13). Playoffs last week on August 19 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., set up today’s championship clash between the Enemies and Triplets. CBS and Paramount+ are broadcasting over 23 hours of live games, with viewership soaring 32% from last year.
London’s Championship and All-Star Spectacle
Today’s events at the O2 Arena mark the BIG3’s first international venture. The second All-Star game, featuring stars like Kevin Murphy and Michael Beasley, tips off before the championship, where the Enemies, led by Nick Young, battle the Triplets, captained by Joe Johnson. Jaylen Brown, the first active NBA player in BIG3 history, is stealing the spotlight in the All-Star game, drawing massive crowds to the 20,000-seat venue. Ice Cube calls this “a defining moment for BIG3’s global vision.”
Teams and Standout Players
The 2023 season features 12 teams: 3’s Company, 3 Headed Monsters, Aliens, Ball Hogs, Bivouac, Enemies, Ghost Ballers, Killer 3’s, Power, Tri-State, Trilogy, and Triplets. Key players include:
Enemies: Nick Young, Isaiah Austin, Elijah Stewart.
Triplets: Joe Johnson, Jeremy Pargo, Jannero Pargo.
3 Headed Monsters: Kevin Murphy, Rashard Lewis, Reggie Evans.
Trilogy: Earl Clark, Isaiah Briscoe, Amir Johnson.
Coaches like Nancy Lieberman (Power), Gary Payton (Bivouac), and Stephen Jackson (Trilogy) are driving intense competition, with Trilogy chasing a historic three-peat.
Innovations Driving the Season
The BIG3 is breaking new ground in 2023. Certified as a Black-owned business by ByBlack and the U.S. Black Chambers, it’s the first pro sports league with this honor. The league’s Web3 initiative, Forever Experience Action Tokens (FEATs), just won “Best in Web3” from Sports Business Journal, letting fans own stakes in teams via blockchain. A highlight was New York’s outdoor festival at Arthur Ashe Stadium on July 9, drawing 23,000 fans to the largest BIG3 event yet.
Why 2023 Matters
Today’s London games are a game-changer, with over 1 million viewers expected to tune in. The presence of Jaylen Brown and the international stage signal the BIG3’s ambition to rival traditional sports leagues. Ice Cube says, “Our fans worldwide are showing up, and London is just the start.” With packed arenas, innovative partnerships, and a fan-first approach, the 2023 season is cementing the BIG3 as a global sports-entertainment force.
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About the Author
Ryan Vickery is a staff writer for Massive Action Media with a degree in Sports Management. Based in Austin, Texas, he has been covering the NBA since 2022, delivering insights on players, rankings, and franchise history.
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