As everyone gears up for the Celebrity and Championship games for the Big 3 after another successful season, it seems their creativity keeps getting stifled. Ice Cube issued a challenge to the Netherlands’ 3×3 Gold Medal team, inviting them to play against the Big 3’s top players to determine who truly deserves the crown.

The Netherlands accepted the challenge quickly, but as the playoffs began and no updates were provided, fans started to wonder if something had gone wrong. On Sunday, August 11th, Big 3 co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz took to Twitter to explain that the event would unfortunately not take place. He claimed that FIBA threatened to disqualify the Gold Medal-winning team from playing in the EuroCup if they participated in the Big 3 event this weekend.

Unfortunately it isn’t true in 3×3. We challenged the Gold medal winners from Netherlands. They accepted. Then FIBA stepped in and threatened kicking them out of the eurocup & suspending them….for playing a friendly against us. What are they afraid of? @icecube @thebig3 https://t.co/fbVwbYDm7O

— Jeff Kwatinetz (@JeffKwatinetz) August 11, 2024

Ice Cube and Kwatinetz have faced ongoing challenges in gaining access to major sports conglomerates, finding it difficult to continue evolving the league. When asked at the Big 3 event if the game would still happen, Ice Cube had this to say to Rachel DeMita:

“To their (Netherlands) credit, they accepted the challenge,” Cube told DeMita in a halftime interview. “But it’s FIBA—FIBA is scared of the Big 3. So, FIBA is preventing them from playing in our all-star game. So, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen because of that. You know, it sucks when politics get in the way of sports and fandom. But we’re still going to have a great all-star game and a great championship, celebrity game next week. No sweat off our brow.”

Ice Cube announced that the Netherlands accepted his challenge to play against the Big3 All-Stars, but FIBA is reportedly trying to block the game

(h/t @Ballislife) pic.twitter.com/PegQ4fWk1F

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 12, 2024

Fans were also puzzled as to why players like Michael Beasley were not on the Team USA 3×3 team, which failed to medal this year. There could be many reasons for that, but as basketball continues to evolve, it’s crucial to adapt. Despite the obstacles, the Big 3 keeps growing year by year, even though some may not want to see it thrive.

Michael Beasley is going to the BIG3 Championship after hitting the game winner and scoring 32 of his team’s 50 points! pic.twitter.com/VhiKKpavDf

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 11, 2024

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