After a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the BIG3 — the popular 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop icon Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz — will tip off its 2021 season on July 10, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The fourth season of BIG3 action will be a 10-week campaign with games played at two locations: Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and at Xavier University, an HBCU in New Orleans, sources said.
CBS will return as the broadcast partner and each contest will be aired live, sources said.
The minimum age limit for the BIG3 was reduced following the 2019 season from 27 years old to 22, and the league is now open to non-professional and professional athletes. Plus, “Bring the Fire” was announced as an addition last year, allowing players to contest a foul by playing one-on-one.
The BIG3 will work with local health and safety officials to determine fan capacity.
2021 BIG3 schedule
Week 1: Saturday, July 10, 12:30-3 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Week 2: Saturday, July 17, 2-4 p.m. and Sunday, July 18, 3-6 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Week 3: Saturday, July 24, 1-3 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Week 4: Saturday, July 31, 3-6 p.m. at Xavier University in New Orleans
Week 5: Thursday, Aug. 5*, 4 p.m. at Xavier University in New Orleans
Week 6: Saturday, Aug. 7, noon-2 p.m. at Xavier University in New Orleans
Week 7: Saturday, Aug. 14, 1-3 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Week 8: Saturday, Aug. 21, 1-3 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Week 9: Saturday, Aug. 28, 3-6 p.m., location TBA (Playoffs)
Week 10: Saturday, Sept. 4, 3:30-6 p.m., location TBA (Championship)
*Non-CBS broadcast; all times ET