Older NBA players might have better things to look forward to than playing overseas or reaching for a microphone on TV when they retire. N.W.A. rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube is launching a three-on-three basketball league for retired NBA players. Called the BIG3 league, it will feature eight teams of five players -- two will sub.
Ice Cube is in charge of its planning, development and execution.
“I thought of this concept as a fan who got sick of seeing his heroes retire and not play anymore,” Ice Cube told The Vertical. “A lot of these guys can still play once they retire – just not the back-to-backs or four games in five nights."
Roger Mason, Jr., who played 10 years in the NBA, resigned as Deputy Executive Director of the NBA Players Association to serve as the BIG3's first president and commissioner. Hall-of-fame Seattle Supersonics and Miami Heat guard Gary Payton will serve as head coach to one of the teams.