The Big 3 Impact: Revitalizing Careers, Uplifting Legends, and Empowering the Black Community

Since Ice Cube launched the Big3 basketball league in 2017, it has emerged as a game-changer in sports entertainment, offering new opportunities to former professional players, especially those in the Black community. Combining the thrill of 3-on-3 basketball with a new competitive platform, the Big3 is revitalizing careers, showcasing talent, and expanding representation in ways that resonate deeply within the Black community.

One of Big3's most impactful aspects has been its dedication to extending the careers of retired basketball players, many of whom felt they still had more to give to the game. For former NBA players, the Big 3 has been a second act, a stage to prove their talent doesn’t diminish with age and a way to bring their skills back to a new audience.

Veterans like Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, and Rashard Lewis have not only found success on the Big3 courts, but they’ve also reminded fans why they became legends in the first place. The league’s slower pace and half-court style are kinder on aging bodies, allowing these players to compete intensely without the demands of a full-court game. It’s basketball without the physical toll of the NBA but with all the passion that defines the game.

One of the most significant names who has thrived in the Big3 isn’t a former NBA player but an icon of the WNBA: Lisa Leslie.

Leslie, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time -- joined the Big3 as a head coach for the Triplets, becoming one of the league’s most influential figures. Her role has elevated the visibility of women in a male-dominated league and sent a powerful message about inclusion and the value of women’s leadership in sports.

Leslie’s success has been spectacular—under her guidance, the Triplets won the Big3 championship in 2019, her first season as head coach. Leslie’s presence in the league has shown a new generation of fans that basketball talent and knowledge transcend gender lines, and she’s become a pivotal figure in Big3’s push for diversity.

The Big3 also has a notable cultural impact. Ice Cube has made it a point to bring the game back to the people, holding games in cities with large Black populations. From music to the atmosphere, he intentionally incorporates elements of Black culture into every gameday. The league also champions social causes, advocating for criminal justice reform and supporting organizations dedicated to uplifting underserved communities.

This unique blend of sport and culture resonates strongly within the Black community, helping to reclaim a space in sports entertainment that is by, for, and about Black excellence. It’s an essential message for young fans, who see players and coaches they admire using their influence to promote values and causes that matter. Ice Cube’s vision for the Big3 has gone beyond the game itself—he’s building a legacy that embraces the community that shaped him and offers opportunities to former players, women, and underserved youth in ways traditional sports leagues haven’t.

In just a few short years, the Big3 has become a beacon of possibility for those who still have more to give to the game and an empowering force for communities that see themselves reflected in its players and coaches. Ice Cube’s league may have started as a unique sports experiment, but it has quickly grown into an emblem of resilience, representation, and revitalization for players, fans, and communities.

The Big3 is more than just another sports league; it’s a movement.