The Big3 3-on-3 Basketball League had Atlanta circled on the map as they planned out their 2018 schedule. The commissioner Ice Cube, entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the coaches and players shared the same sentiments: The Big3 must be showcased in Atlanta. Luckily for hoop heads and casual fans, everyone gets their wish this Friday night.
Due to renovations at Philips Arena, the Big3 will take their talents to the Infinite Energy Center, about 45 minutes to an hour away from downtown Atlanta. All matchups will be broadcast on Facebook and later on FOX Sports 1. Plus, each TV matchup is available to stream on the FOX Sports app.
“The players love this city so much,” said Brian Custer, play-by-play announcer of the Big 3. “Last week, we had over 13,000 in Boston but to a man, every player said, ‘We can’t wait to get to the A!’ It was a point of emphasis for the Big3 to stop in Atlanta. All of the guys are looking forward to it.”
The Big3 is made up of eight teams with retired NBA players and former big-time college standouts that currently play overseas. The eight teams are 3 Headed Monsters, 3’s Company, Ball Hogs, Ghost Ballers, Killer 3’s, Power, Tri-State, and Trilogy. Currently, Power and 3 Headed Monsters are tied for the best overall record at 6-1. In second place are 3’s Company and Tri-State with 5-2 records. Trilogy and the Killer 3’s are in third place with 2-5 records. Lastly, the Ball Hogs and the Ghost Ballers are tied in 4th place with 1-6 records.
“It’s a huge night because it’s all about seeding,” Custer said. “When you watch the games with the 3 Headed Monsters, it’s all about Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. He is the man for them. He scores the points, Reggie Evans grabs the rebounds.”
If the 3 Headed Monsters win tomorrow night, they will be the number one seed.
Power is most notably coached by Nancy Lieberman. She does not want to be recognized as anything more than a basketball wizard. She is a Hall-of-Fame player and is obsessed with the basketball.
“When she got the call, she jumped at it,” Custer said when I asked about Lieberman’s invite to the Big3. “She felt like she could really help one of those teams. It’s a testament to her because even before she joined this season, she broke down tape of Power last season (they finished 4-4 in 2017) to point out to the players’ areas of improvement and illustrating the reasons why they could be even better.”
Power brings NBA veterans Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Quentin Richardson, Ryan Gomes, Chris “Birdman” Andersen and Xavier Silas to the table. Coached by Lieberman, Power has the second-best point differential in the Big3 with +63.
Schedule:
6 p.m.: Doors open at Infinite Energy Arena
7 p.m.: First game is live on Facebook with 3 Headed Monsters vs. Ball Hogs
8 p.m.: Games on FS1 with Killer 3’s vs. Power, 3’s Company vs. Tri-State and Trilogy vs. Ghost Ballers
Rosters:
Trilogy: Captain Kenyon Martin, Co-Captain Al Harrington, Co-Captain Rashad McCants, James White, Dion Glover, Dahntay Jones, Coach Rick Mahorn
3 Headed Monsters: Captain Rashard Lewis, Co-Captain Reggie Evans, Co-Captain Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kwame Brown, Qyntel Woods, Salim Stoudamire, Coach Gary Payton
Power: Captain Corey Maggette, Co-Captain Cuttino Mobley, Co-Captain Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, Chris “Birdman” Andersen, Quentin Richardson, Ryan Gomes, Coach Nancy Lieberman
Ghost Ballers: Captain Mike Bibby, Co-Captain Ricky Davis, Co-Captain Carlos Boozer, Lee Nailon, Marcus Banks, Mario West, Coach George “The Iceman” Gervin
Killer 3s: Captain Chauncey Billups, Co-Captain Stephen Jackson, Co-Captain Metta World Peace, Alan Anderson, Ryan Hollins, Mike James, Coach Charles Oakley
3’s Company: Captain DerMarr Johnson, Co-Captain Baron Davis, Co-Captain Drew Gooden, Andre Emmett, Jason Maxiell, Derrick Byars, Coach Michael Cooper
Tri-State: Captain Jermaine O’Neal, Co-Captain Amar’e Stoudemire, Co-Captain Nate Robinson, David Hawkins, Robert Hite, Bonzi Wells, Coach Julius “Dr. J” Erving
Ball Hogs: Captain Brian Scalabrine, Co-Captain Josh Childress, Co-Captain DeShawn Stevenson, Andre Owens, Corsley Edwards, Jermaine Taylor, Coach Rick Barry
