BIG3 (United States) 2026/27

The BIG3 operates as an independent professional basketball league, distinct from the standard NBA structure. It provides a summer stage for former NBA players and international stars during the offseason. The competition was established in January 2017 by rapper Ice Cube and talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz.

The league currently fields twelve teams that operate under a city-based franchise model, a shift implemented in 2025. Participants include the Ball Hogs, Detroit Amps, Houston Rig Hands, LA Riot, Miami 305, and Power. Entry into the league occurs through invitation or the purchase of franchise rights, with no system of promotion or relegation.

A regular season featuring a showcase format determines the top four seeds for single-elimination playoffs. These culminate in a one-game championship final. The competition employs rules branded as "Fireball3" that differ significantly from FIBA 3x3 standards. Games proceed to fifty points rather than a time limit, requiring a two-point margin for victory. A fourteen-second shot clock governs offensive possession, alongside the use of a Size 7 ball and unique four-point scoring zones.

The minimum player age requirement was reduced from thirty to twenty-two in 2021, allowing younger talent to participate. The DMV Trilogy holds the record for the most titles, having secured three championships in 2017, 2021, and 2022. The reigning champions are the Boston Ball Hogs, who claimed the title in the 2025/2026 season. Previous winners include Power, which triumphed in 2018 and 2023, and Bivouac, who won in 2024.