The NBA offseason is normally a dry time for hoop fans, however, this one proves a little bit different with the league’s transactions and high profile free agents. Filling the void for the on court action is The Big 3, the new professional 3 on 3 basketball league that brings the stars and heroes of NBA seasons past back to the hardwood to the delight of fans. The league, headed by Ice Cube, and starring hoops icons like Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, Dr. J, Mike Bibby and more in coaching, player or dual roles made a midseason arrival into Chicago on Sunday (July 23). This is something that basketball fans in particular look forward to, especially with the mix of basketball players and artists. This is not a sight we witness all the time, so it adds something new to the world of basketball. Unlike the NBA games and college basketball, where you can bet by looking into something like the top online sportsbook site, you can’t bet on these games. At the end of the say, it is the interaction between the players, fans and the celebrities that people are excited about.

Selling out the UIC Pavilion, the action in the building attracted many basketball fans but also many celebrities, Chance the Rapper, Taraji P. Henson, Twista, the cast of Empire, EPMD, Minister Louis Farrakhan, and more, all joined Cube, the basketball stars and Michael Rappaport, who does in game reporting, in the arena.

The action on the court at Big 3 is intense with the players on both sides physically giving it their all, breaking a sweat, battling on the boards, showing that competitive edge from those long 82 game has not left. Anyone that might have perhaps bet on the outcome of this match using Sportsbooks.ag or a similar site probably would have had a nail-biting experience indeed! The talent level has also not left in the slightest. Cuttino Mobley, formerly of the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, showed he still has game netting 21 points to lead his team, Power, over the Ball Hogs led by Brian “White Mamba” Scalabrine. Game 2 of the afternoon brought the undefeated Trilogy with household NBA names Al Harrington and Kenyon Martin into a battle with Tri-State who are attempting to find footing with a record of 1-3. The game, however, was a battle of guards as Mike James and Rashad McCants engaged in a shoot out, both netting over 20 points, but it was not enough from the former to knock off the undefeated Trilogy team.

The first thing that you notice inside the arena, which can safely be assumed to be the same case across the country, is the abundance of Allen Iverson jerseys in the building. Each team in his career, from Georgetown to Philadelphia, from Denver to the Big 3’s 3’s Company, was represented on jerseys of the fans. Once The Answer entered the arena there was no one that was not on their feet, celebrity or casual fan, in celebration of his presence. Due to injury, Iverson did not play for 3’s Company, who could have used his fire power to keep up with the Rashard Lewis led Three Headed Monsters. The afternoon of hoops was wrapped up with Stephen Jackson and Killer 3’s falling to a clutch three ball from Mike Bibby who represented The Ghost Ballers.

Basketball and hip-hop over time have gone hand in hand, that is also present in the Big 3. Throughout the course of the event, the legendary DJ Skee spun instrumentals that ranged from Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s” to present day hits like cuts from Jay-Z’s 4:44 while there was action on the court and the full songs with lyrics in timeout or halftime huddles. Surprise performances have been customary during the Big 3 events, which held true to Chicago when DMX emerged seemingly out of nowhere to perform the “Ruff Ryders Anthem” and enjoy the rest of the action.

Along with the basketball and hip-hop, The Big 3 is huge on fan interaction. What is experienced live and on the broadcast on Fox Sports 1, is the host for the afternoon jogging through the arena and tossing out t-shirts, jerseys, ramping up social media efforts and giving the opportunity to win $500 if you are able to hit the league’s famed four-point shot, making for an all-around fun experience for basketball fans

Be sure to check out images, box scores and more from the Big 3 – Chicago day below.

Game 1 Box Score – Highlights
Game 2 Box Score – Highlights
Game 3 Box Score – Highlights
Game 4 Box Score – Highlights