Ice Cube Pivots To Tournament Idea After FIBA Blocks BIG3 Game With Gold Medalists

Ice Cube hasn’t given up on arranging a game between his BIG3 All-Stars and the Netherlands’ 3×3 Basketball Team, which won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. The BIG3 co-founder said his $250,000 cash prize offer remains on the table if FIBA allows the game to happen on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show.

The Hip-Hop legend previously accused FIBA of blocking the Netherlands from competing against the BIG3 All-Stars. The gold medalists accepted his challenge, but FIBA said no to the proposed game. FIBA’s rejection didn’t deter Ice Cube, who pushed back against the organization and pitched a more elaborate tournament idea.

“FIBA’s scared without a doubt,” Ice Cube said. “They came with some technicality that they needed a three-week notice. 10 days is enough to figure out if you want to do it or not. And so, they blew a huge opportunity for these guys and for our guys and for sports fans and for the game of three-on-three. It would’ve got so much attention. So, we still got the money up. It’s like let’s give ‘em more than three weeks so they don’t have no excuses. And they can send a few more team. We can have a BIG Cup. We can have a little tournament to see who’s the best in the world for real, for real.”

The BIG3 championship game will be held in Boston on August 18. Ice Cube expressed interest in creating a World Cup-style tournament after the season ends.

“We wide open to create this BIG Cup tournament where we invite the best three-on-three teams in the world to come play,” he told McAfee. “Why not? Let’s do it … Let’s elevate the sport of three-on-three. Let’s get some attention of the world on the style of play. I think it’s a great idea. Let’s make it happen.”

Ice Cube launched his BIG3 basketball league in 2017. He hoped BIG3 players would be involved in the 2028 Olympics.