Fansided

Ice Cube: BIG3 not looking to sign LiAngelo Ball or similar FAs

By Nir Regev

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: LiAngelo Ball #2 talks to members of the media following his participation in the Los Angeles Lakers 2018 NBA Pre-Draft Workout on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: LiAngelo Ball #2 talks to members of the media following his participation in the Los Angeles Lakers 2018 NBA Pre-Draft Workout on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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During a media conference call, FanSided asked Ice Cube if the BIG3 was looking to sign free agent LiAngelo Ball to the league and was told no.

It appears the BIG3 won’t be an intermediary showcase spot before the NBA for non-drafted players like LiAngelo Ball. Though many players have utilized play in Europe (Lithuania for the Ball brothers), China, and other leagues around the world to get playtime to display their talents for the NBA… Ice Cube confirmed to FanSided that the BIG3 won’t be one of those leagues and they don’t want it to turn into a pro-am league. A pro-am league is a mix of professional and amateur competition within a sport.

Ice Cube elaborated further the BIG3 is looking for ‘NBA experienced players that have already reached a certain level in the league’, and ‘can bring a fanbase with them.’ He also detailed the importance of “fulfilling the promise of letting players play with their peers.” Fans might have noticed during BIG3 interviews that the players are often friends dating back to their early days in the NBA and even prior in some cases. It’s important for the BIG3’s image to be a welcoming place that players want to play in.

Read Ice Cube’s viewpoint on the matter of undrafted NBA hopefuls in the transcript below.

FanSided.com [Nir Regev]: Would you consider signing players who want to be in the NBA but are currently undrafted like LiAngelo Ball?

Ice Cube: No. We feel like that’s what the G-League is for, and what the NBA is for. You know, players that have the potential to play basketball at the highest level, we don’t want to start plucking from that group of talent. What we want is players who’ve already played in the NBA, who’ve already reached a certain level.

Ones who could come in and bring a fanbase with them. As well, as fulfilling the promise of letting players play with their peers, we don’t want this to turn into a pro-am league or anything like that. We want this to be a place where players want to come play.

Next. BIG3’s Maggette, Mobley, Q-Rich talk Power’s Clippers reunion. dark

BIG3 recently crowned their 2018 Champion, Power, in a matchup against 3’s Company at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.