FIBA Blocks Ice Cube’s 3×3 Challenge With Gold Medalist Netherlands

The Big3’s challenge was accepted by the Netherlands, the gold medal winner of 3×3 basketball at the Paris Olympics. But the game is unlikely to take place.

Big3 cofounder Ice Cube (above) said during a playoff game in Nashville on Sunday that the Netherlands accepted the invitation he issued earlier this month to have the gold medal winner face off with an All-Star group of Big3 players. Cube promised to pay for the team’s flight and accommodations, and he offered a cash prize of $250,000 if it could beat the Big3’s contingent.

However, Cube said that the game, which was scheduled alongside the league’s All-Star Game on Aug. 18 in Boston, is unlikely to take place—and he claims it’s because of FIBA, the sport’s international governing body.

“To [Netherlands’] credit, they accepted the challenge,” Cube said. “But it’s FIBA—FIBA is scared of the Big3, so FIBA’s preventing them from playing in our All-Star Game. Don’t look like it’s gonna happen because of that. It sucks when politicians get in the way of sports and fandom.” 

FIBA wrote in a letter obtained by Front Office Sports that the reason the Netherlands team was denied is because its rules indicate that players who want to participate in non-FIBA-sanctioned events must request approval at least three weeks before the event. The Netherlands sent its request Aug. 9.

“As the event in question is less than 10 days away, this timeframe has not been fulfilled,” the letter read. “Considering the above, your request is hereby denied, and thus the Players are not authorized to participate in the aforementioned Big 3 event. Also note that any unauthorized participation in a non-FIBA endorsed 3×3 event may lead to the contractually agreed penalties outlined in the Entry Form.”

A spokesperson for the Dutch Federation confirmed to FOS that they didn’t receive permission from FIBA, saying, “there’s nothing much we can say or do.”

FIBA did not respond to a request for comment from FOS. 

Big3 vs. USAB

The challenge from the Big3 came even before the Netherlands won gold. USA Basketball’s 3×3 team failed to make it out of the first round of the tournament, prompting questions about its roster construction and recruitment as only one of the four players on the team had NBA experience.

The Big3, a professional 3-on-3 basketball league, announced its All-Star team of 12 players on Sunday, eight of whom have prior NBA experience, but USA Basketball did not select any of its players. There are several requirements for players to be eligible for the 3×3 Olympic team, but Cube told FOS last week that USA Basketball is influencing the selection process.

“There’s a lot of politics involved when it comes to USA Basketball,” Cube said.

Big3 president Jeff Kwatinetz told FOS that USA Basketball and the NBA are in cahoots.

“USA Basketball is controlled by the NBA, and they don’t want the Big3 to get any recognition so they’d rather have the United States forfeit a gold medal,” Kwatinetz said.

The format of the game differs from the 3×3 format instilled by FIBA. Still, Cube told FOS last week that a team of Big3 players would beat the gold medal winners.

“We’ll play any style, whatever y’all wanna do, and I guarantee you we’ll win,” Cube said.