By Ryan Cox
For basketball fans, nothing is worse than having your heroes retire. Luckily, fans can still watch some players in the Big3. The Big3 was founded in 2017 by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York. The league allows retired players to play a 3 on 3, half court style of basketball where the first team to 50 points wins and there is a four-point shot. Naturally, some players from the University of Kentucky have joined the league. Jodie Meeks, Isaiah Briscoe, and Marquis Teague are all players in the Big3.
Isaiah Briscoe played for UK from 2015-17. Over those two seasons, Briscoe averaged 10.9 points per game. Briscoe played for two SEC tournament-winning UK teams and played a vital part in a 2016-17 UK team that made it to the Elite Eight. Now Briscoe plays for Trilogy in the Big3. Briscoe joined the league in 2021 and won two Big3 championships. He was second in the league in scoring in 2022 and has already racked up 37 points in the two games of the 2024 season. Briscoe has played a vital role for Trilogy in his four seasons.
Marquis Teague played for UK in its iconic 2011-12 championship season. Teague scored 10 points per game and scored 14 in the title game. Teague went pro after his first season but did not have the success of his brother Jeff Teague. Speaking of Jeff, he now plays with Marquis for 3 Headed Monsters. Both Jeff and Marquis are making their big3 debuts this season. Marquis has scored a total of 27 points in his first two games. Marquis made a big splash in his second game when he had 19 points, although the 3 Headed Monsters lost to Triplets. Marquis will probably make an even bigger impact as his Big3 career goes on.
Jodie Meeks played for UK from 2006-09 and did not do much in his first two seasons but had an iconic third season. Jodie had six 30+ point games including a school record 54 points against Tennessee. Meeks averaged 23.7 points per game as a junior and he’s proving that he’s still got game in the Big3. Jodie’s being coached by Rick Barry as a member of Ball Hogs. Jodie joined the league in 2021 and made an instant impact scoring 113 points as a rookie. In 2023, Jodie scored 141 points. Meeks is still a sniper and continues to dominate the league this season as he has already scored a total of 20 points over two games.
For those interested in the Big3, go to big3.com for schedules, stats, news, and more. The Big3 is coming to Cincinnati on July 28 and Nashville on August 11.
Ryan Cox is an aspiring sportswriter who has played sports, followed sports, and served as spotter and assistant on streaming high school sports broadcasts.
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