A Look at the Potential 2022 BIG3 All-Stars

Just before the 2022 Championship game takes place in Atlanta on August 21st, the BIG3 will have its first-ever All-Star Game. The two teams will be composed of a representative from each team not in the Finals, with three starters and two bench players. Here are my selections for each team’s All-Star representative, with a note as to whether they should be one of the six starters or four bench players:

3 Headed Monsters – Kevin Murphy (Starter)

This was not the most difficult of decisions. Murphy leads the league in scoring, he’s a phenomenal rebounder, and there’s a very good chance he’ll win the 2022 BIG3 MVP award.

3’s Company – Michael Beasley (Reserve)

For better or worse, 3’s Company essentially played Beasley-ball through the 2022 season. It did take a while for things to click for Beasley and the team around him. But once they did, we were reminded of just how special of a talent Beasley is, especially when his teammates don’t just leave him on an island.

Aliens — Deshawn Stephens (Starter)

The Aliens’ trio of European ballplayers and distinct style of play was what got everyone’s attention early. However, as the season went on, it became more and more clear that the true secret to their success was Stephens. Stephens and his 7’3 wingspan kept opponents away from the rim when the Aliens were on defense, and when they had the ball he was constantly ready to finish inside. He even showed some flashes of a nice outside stroke, and teams have to guard him beyond the three-point line.

Ball Hogs – Jodie Meeks (Reserve)

Obviously, this spot would normally go to Leandro Barbosa, but he’ll likely still be recovering from his lower leg injury. The Ball Hogs couldn’t catch a break this season, but Meeks’ jumper is still one of the prettiest things in the league.

Bivouac – Gerald Green (Starter)

Again, not a particularly hard choice. Green’s ability to rise up and make a shot from anywhere on the floor as well as come down from the heavens to finish at the rim made him the centerpiece of Bivouac’s offense. Bivouac had some tough luck this season, losing four games by a combined 11 points, but with Green at the helm the future looks bright for them.

Enemies – Elijah Stewart (Reserve)

With all due respect to the size and talent of Isaiah Austin, I simply can’t get Stewart’s Week 2 performance against Bivouac off my mind. It was just a dazzling display of talent. He dunked on Jeff Ayres. He drained shots from the four-point circle. He made one of the blocks of the year on Corey Brewer during a Bring the Fire challenge. It earned him an invite to the Pelicans’ Summer League team, and in my mind it should earn him an All-Star spot as well.

Ghost Ballers – Mike Taylor (Reserve)

Chris Johnson is ludicrously talented, and frankly this proposed All-Star lineup is lacking in big men, but I felt like the Ghost Ballers were a better team when they relied on Taylor’s relentless energy and confidence rather than Johnson’s incredible mix of size and skill.

Killer 3’s – Franklin “Frank Nitty” Session (Starter)

With respect to the sugary-sweet shooting of Donte Greene and Dominique Johnson, this was another relatively easy call. Frank Nitty is the engine that makes the Killer 3’s go – he’s constantly attacking the rim, leads the league in assists, and is somehow third in the league in rebounds.

Power – Royce White (Reserve)

One of the most unique players you’ll find in any league. The 6’8 White trails Frank Nitty by just one assist for the league lead. He’s fifth in the league in rebounds. He’s also yet to make a three-pointer this season – he prefers to shove his man under the basket and flip in a layup or draw a double-team down low and hit the open man with a pass. Glen Rice Jr. may lead Power in scoring, but White is the player most responsible for making Coach Nancy Lieberman’s system work.

Tri State – Jason Richardson (Starter)

Another straightforward pick. The ageless Richardson is constantly in motion, trying to find space for his beautiful jumper – He’s tied with Gerald Green for the most 3-point shots made this season, and shot 44.7% from three-point range. And of course, if he finds a lane to the basket, he can still rise up and throw down with authority.

Trilogy – Isaiah Briscoe (Starter)

Just an absolute bulldog, and Trilogy feeds off of what he brings to the table. He’s not much of an outside shooter, but his slick handle and incredible core strength allow him to get to the rim and muscle in a layup essentially at will.

Triplets – Alonzo Gee (Reserve)

Just a tough season for the Triplets. They were built around two-time MVP Joe Johnson, who retired at mid-season. To make matters worse, Jeremy Pargo had trouble finding his shot this season, and ended the season shooting 33.8% from the floor and 19.4% from three-point range.

Gee was a silver lining for Lisa Leslie’s squad – he provided energy and athleticism, and shot 52.8% from the field and 60.0% from three-point range.

The two players who just missed the cut are Glen Rice Jr., who’s been a walking bucket for Power since he was taken with the #1 overall pick in the 2022 BIG3 Draft, and Earl Clark, who leads the league in rebounds and steals and is tied with Michael Beasley for the second-most blocks in the league. He’s also been Trilogy’s best outside shooter this year, which has really helped his teammates out, as their games are mostly predicated on getting to the rim.