Ice Cube's plans for Big3 vs. Netherlands exhibition game canceled because of FIBA roadblock 

Ice Cube’s Big3 is arguably the best 3-on-3 basketball league in the U.S. and in the world. The hip-hop musician and actor is always on the prowl for opportunities to grow his league and make it go global. Last week, he challenged the 2024 Paris Olympics 3-on-3 men’s basketball winners Netherlands for an exhibition game during the Big3 Championship Weekend.

Ice Cube was questioned regarding the status of the game on Sunday. He said, via NBACentral:

“Well, to their credit, they accepted the challenge, but it's FIBA, FIBA is scared of the Big3. So FIBA is preventing them from playing in our All-Star game. So don't look like it's going to happen because of that.

"You know, it s**ks when politicians get in the way of sports and fandom, but we're going to still have a great All-Star game. Still going to have a great championship. Celebrity game next week. No sweat off our brow.”

When asked if he was willing to take his league overseas for a few exhibition games, Ice Cube said:

“We'll play them anywhere they want to play, any rules they want to play with. We still think we got the best 3-on-3 players in the world. They don't want none of this Big3 action.”

After a disappointing group-stage exit for Team USA in this year’s 3-on-3 men’s competition, the U.S. might be forced to pay more heed to the Big3 if the Americans are to win a medal in the event in LA 2028.

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Ice Cube extended Caitlin Clark a mega offer to play in Big3

Caitlin Clark has become the darling of WNBA fans after she was drafted first out of Iowa by the Indiana Fever in 2024. However, if Ice Cube had his way, the NCAA leading scorer of all-time would have been playing in the Big3 instead. He reportedly offered Clark a $5 million offer in March, which he confirmed on social media, via ESPN:

“We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won't deny what's now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn't we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.

"The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men's pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes."

While Clark didn’t sign with 3-on-3 league, it would definitely have been something to watch, and she would have earned way more than the $338,056 her rookie contract pays over four years.