"Got their a** kicked": Ice Cube reacts to Team USA 3x3 loss, challenges future gold hopefuls to play against 'Big3' All-Stars

Team USA’s 3x3 men’s basketball team went down 21-6 to the Netherlands, ending the team’s hope of a podium finish. The Americans, which finished with the silver in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, had a 2-5 record in the group stage. They had a slim chance of advancing to the next round but were beaten in the tiebreaker by Poland.

The Olympic debutants started with a four-game losing streak, including a 22-14 hammering against Serbia. They beat China and home team France before ending their campaing with a loss to the Netherlands. Many were stunned by the World Cup silver medalists’ elimination.

Legendary rapper Ice Cube, the founder and CEO of BIG3, a 3x3 basketball league in the USA, reacted to the Americans’ Olympic campaign:

“They got their a** kicked. They need our players, without a doubt. The whole world can see that.”

The Grammy-Award-winning artist added:

“Gold medal winner, it’s your homeboy Ice Cube. Whatever country wins the gold medal, y’all need to come to Boston. We all gonna pay for your trip to Boston, hotels [and] give you a little cash, and let’s see who’s the best in the world. We believe that our All-Stars will take you down.”

Team USA had a good chance of advancing to the next stage but could not withstand the loss of Jimmer Fredette. The former NBA player played a big role in the group’s World Cup success. Fredette was also the offensive hub of the team so when he went down, the Americans struggled even more.

Latvia, which beat the USA 21-19 in pool play, is the defending gold medal winner and seems on track to appear in the championship round. The Latvians were the only team to finish the group stage without a loss, finishing the preliminary round with a 7-0 mark.

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Ice Cube should still invite Team USA to compete against his BIG3 selection

Team USA will likely give Ice Cube’s BIG3 All-Stars a tough fight regardless of which rules will be adapted. The Americans finished pool play with a 2-5 record but losses against Poland, Lithuania and Latvia could have ended differently. They lost without the injured Jimmer Fredette to teams competing in 3x3 tournaments for years.

With no backup on the roster, the Americans played their remaining five games without a substitution. In the loss against the Netherlands, they looked gassed. If complete and healthy, they would be raring to prove their worth versus whoever the legendary rapper can line up against them.

Ice Cube doubled down on his challenge to the gold medal winners. He is offering a $150,000 prize to the winner. Perhaps he can make it a three-way tournament involving the 3x3 men’s Olympic gold medalists, Team USA and his BIG3 All-Stars. It should be a game that basketball fans will be thrilled to see.