BIG3 basketball league announces Detroit getting franchise expansion in 2025

Detroit Free Press

Another professional basketball team is laying down roots in Detroit.

The BIG3, a professional 3-on-3 basketball league created by Ice Cube, announced on Monday a franchise expansion team will be located in Detroit for the upcoming 2025 season. The team will be operated by an ownership group called GameAbove Sports, led by GameAbove founder Keith J. Stone and consists of numerous local sports legends.

NBA Hall of Famer and Eastern Michigan alumnus George Gervin, currently a BIG3 coach, plus former Detroit Lions offensive lineman and Eastern Michigan alumnus T.J. Lang are involved in the ownership group. Anthony Tomey, co-founder of the Born In Detroit apparel line, is also an owner. Former NBA and EMU guard Earl Boykins will be involved with the team, though it was not announced in what capacity yet.

BIG3 co-founder and entertainer Ice Cube looks on during the game between Trilogy and Killer 3s during BIG3 - Week Four at Little Caesars Arena on July 13, 2018 in Detroit.

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“The entire team at GameAbove and I are thrilled to bring a BIG3 franchise to the Motor City,” Gervin said in a released statement. “My experience as part of the BIG3 these past few seasons has shown me that the league is at the forefront of 3-on-3 basketball’s increasing growth and global traction. Detroit’s rich sports history makes it a fantastic market for the BIG3; get ready for next summer!”

The BIG3 league will be switching to a franchise model for 2025 and Detroit is the fourth team to be announced following Miami, Houston and Los Angeles. The league, which is in its seventh season after starting in 2017, operates with 12 teams and previously toured around the country to play for fans in various arenas with no set home floor. In 2018, the league made a stop in Detroit to play games at Little Caesars Arena.

“We are very excited about the BIG3 and the momentum Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz have established in the league,” Stone said in a statement. “Our philosophy at GameAbove Sports is to seek new and innovative ways to diversify our portfolio. The BIG3 presents a great opportunity for us to invest early in this emerging version of basketball. The ownership group and operational support are enthusiastic and ready. Detroit and the State of Michigan will be a leader in many ways for the league.”

Ball Hogs Brian Scalabrine defends against 3s Company's Dahnytay Jones during BIG3 action on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The league is filled with former NBA players and stars and has plenty of basketball icons, such as the Detroit Pistons' Rick Mahorn, former Detroit Shock coach Nancy Lieberman and Gervin coaching teams, while Clyde Drexler serves as commissioner. It is a self-described "player-centric" league that plays 3-on-3 in a half-court setting with a 14-second shot clock, an NBA 3-point line as well as a "4-point zone" located 30 feet from the basket.

“I am excited to finally announce the sale of our Detroit team to this amazing group of investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists,” Ice Cube said in a statement. “GameAbove Sports and its leadership represent the values of the BIG3 every day and have an exemplary community outreach infrastructure that will take the Young3 initiative to a new level. It’s been a privilege to work with George Gervin over the past few BIG3 seasons and I know what he means to the Detroit and Southeast Michigan community. I look forward to working together with GameAbove Sports to bring the vision of BIG3 Detroit to life next season.”