DETROIT – This weekend, the Big3 basketball league returns to Detroit, now with its own team, the Detroit Amplifiers.
The league’s founder, Ice Cube, recently joined Local 4 on Tuesday (July 15) to discuss the league’s growth and what fans can expect.
Ice Cube expressed his long-standing love for Detroit, dating back to the late 1980s.
“It’s been a love affair with me since the late 80s in Detroit. I know some great people there. Always had a great time there,” said Ice Cube. “It’s a great entertainment town. They love to go out, dress up, hit the town, enjoy each other. As an owner of a sports league, you definitely got to have a team in Detroit.”
The Detroit Amps, led by Hall of Famer and Head Coach George “The Iceman” Gervin, feature a star-studded roster including dynamic guard Jeremy Pargo, NCAA champion Darnell Jackson, and former NBA star Joe Johnson.
The team’s name, the Detroit Amplifiers or “Amps,” was chosen by Keith Stone and Game Above, Ice Cube explained.
“Detroit is known for its music, from Motown to heavy metal, and for having one of the biggest rappers in the world, Eminem. It’s a music town, so it’s only right to be called the Amplifiers,” Ice Cube said.
Currently, the Amps are off to a strong start with a 3-1 record.
Ice Cube emphasized the team’s competitive spirit: “You can call them whatever you want, but definitely call them winners because they come to win.”
Reflecting on the league’s previous visit to Detroit in 2023, Ice Cube highlighted the fans’ enthusiasm.
“The excitement of the fans, people really welcoming the Big3 with open arms. Having legends like Iceman, George Gervin, and Rick Mahorn involved made it very cool to come to Detroit and see the welcome they received," said Ice Cube.
The city’s rich basketball history, from the Detroit Pistons to college teams, sets the stage for the Big3’s unique style of play.
Ice Cube described the game as “Fast, physical, like in your driveway a little bit. Little trash-talking never hurt anybody. These guys play to win. It’s not ticky-tack ball. You got to bring your big boy pants.”
The Big3 games are played as a sprint with no wasted minutes, and the first team to 50 points wins.
Ice Cube said, “It’s four games for the price of one. You can’t beat that with a stick. You got to see it live. Seven-footers playing three-on-three are the best.”
Since launching the league in 2017, Ice Cube believes the Big3 is changing basketball by “Giving the people what they want and letting the players be themselves.”
Ice Cube added, “Nobody wants to see robots play. People want to see guys compete at the highest level.”
With only an eight-game season, there’s no load management or downtime.
“You got to start fast and finish strong to be one of the final four at the end,” Ice Cube said.
Beyond sports, Ice Cube remains active in the music and entertainment industries.
Ice Cube announced he will perform Sunday (July 20) at the Big3 event inside Little Caesars Arena and teased a new album titled Man Up, following 2024’s Man Down.
The Big3 basketball event will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
Fans can expect high-energy basketball and live entertainment from Ice Cube himself.
For a limited time, the Detroit Amps are offering fans two (2) FREE standard tickets to the home opening game on July 20th, with a $30 apparel purchase.
The officially licensed Detroit Amps apparel line has just launched, featuring hats, t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, and sweatpants for both men and women, showcasing the Amps logo and exclusive designs.
The new Amps line is available exclusively at Born IN Detroit’s downtown store located at Woodward and Grand River avenues and online at www.BornInDetroit.Store.
Purchases must be made by Friday, July 18, to receive FREE game tickets.
Customers must submit their name, email address, phone number, and address upon purchase and will receive their tickets via email on July 19.
Watch the full interview below: