Over the years, basketball has been largely influential to the hip-hop music genre. It has had an effect not only on song topics but also on other aspects such as how artists present themselves (i.e. wearing the jersey of the basketball team they support).
So it comes as no surprise that a number of hip-hop artists have now grouped together in order to organize their very own basketball league. Now this league is nothing to scoff at, because for starters, Ice Cube organized it.
The legendary rapper will be teaming up with retired basketball player Roger Mason, Jr. to make this, the "BIG3" league, a reality. Also, while league games will be played in a three-on-three format, there will be no shortage of big names that will feature in these games.
Ice Cube's basketball league will feature a number of retired NBA greats including but not limited to Jason Williams, Rashard Lewis, and Jermain O'Neal, among others, according to Billboard. The league's organizers believe that these veterans still have the caliber to play widely entertaining basketball, it is just that they can no longer play multiple games week in and week out. The organizers have also commended the exciting nature of three vs. three basketball for sparking the idea.
"I started to look at three-on-three basketball and wondered, 'Why isn't this played on a pro level?'" Ice Cube told the Vertical in an interview.
The league is being planned with an idea of having eight teams, with each consisting of five players. The teams will consist of a coach, who will most likely also be a former professional player, as well as a team captain. These teams will tour different cities and play their games there hopefully starting June 2017.
The ex-professionals who will play in the BIG3 league will most likely rely more on their shooting skills rather than physicality when they come up against opposing teams. While undoubtedly still fit, these veterans of the game will hope that they will no longer have to face the injuries that they were at risk of during their days as pro basketball players.
Watch a report on the BIG3 league here: